/ <&?. 



{LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.! 



[SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT.] 



! UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,! 



WHY AM I 
A PRESBYTERIAN? 



A VINDICATION OF CHURCH ORDER, DOCTRINE, AND 
PRACTICAL HOLINESS 

AS ENJOINED 

IN THAT PORTION OF CHRIST'S HERITAGE. 



IN THREE PARTS 




BY A MOTHER. 

It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye 

should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered 

to the saints. — Jude 3. 
Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the 

old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall 

find rest for your souls. — Jer. vi. 10. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
WILLIAM S. MARTIEN. 

1852. 



THE LIBRARY 
OF C ONG RESS 

[WASHlNOTOlf 






Entered, according to the act of Congress, in the year 1852, 
By William S. Martien, 



In the office of the Clerk of the District Court of the 
Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



PREFACE. 



It is nearly two years since the first part 
of this little work was presented for publica- 
tion. The partial testimony of that kind 
friend, whose introduction gave the proudest 
sanction to my book, was doubtless all-impor- 
tant to its success. Encouraged by the fa- 
vourable reception given, the second appeared 
in the latter part of the same year; and the 
third having also been issued, the whole is 
now presented to the public, complete in one 
volume. 

Neither time nor labour has been spared in 
the search of authorities, nor in the examina- 
tion of the Scriptures ; and, in every case, 
words or ideas have been made use of that 
seemed appropriate, wherever they were to. 
be found. 

I cannot apologize for the preference avowed 
for the Order, Doctrine, and Practical Holi- 
ness inculcated in that branch of the Church 
which received my youthful selection, and 
with which I have been connected for six and 
thirty years. While charity and forbearance 
are so much in vogue, it will be permitted to 
me, the more readily, to avouch my prede- 



4 PREFACE. 

liction for the Presbyterian name. For the 
favour accorded to my little book, my grate- 
ful acknowledgments are due; and, if either 
in doctrine or practice, in church order or in 
Christian character, the cause I advocate shall 
be in the least promoted, my humble efforts 
will be well rewarded. More especially would 
I request, that those who bear the name and 
exercise the important office of a mother, 
would not neglect the different branches of 
instruction which the subjects here discussed 
present to their attention. How great is their 
responsibility ! how rich the reward belonging 
to the right discharge of their sacred trust ! 
Let every Presbyterian mother resolve, in the 
strength of her Master, to bring up her chil- 
dren as such ; and not as worldlings, butter- 
flies of fashion, or aspirants for wealth and 
earthly honours. Let sound doctrine, that 
cannot be condemned ; strict morality, in the 
gospel sense of the term ; consecration of heart 
and substance; the practice of prayer with 
your children — attest the fidelity of professions 
witnessed by many a communion season, and 
often reiterated, perhaps, in times of sorrow 
or of suffering. 

Then shall many a child of the Church 
realize the value of its birthright, grow up in 
holiness and knowledge, and be able to answer 
the inquiry, Why am I a Presbyterian ? 

N. W. CAMPBELL. 

Maple Grove, October, 1852. 



THE AUTHOR TO HER BOOK. 



Go forth! go forth! my little book, 

Forth to the world of men ; 
God's gracious sanction I invoke 
On all the truths that thou hast spoke— 

His blessing on my pen! 

In midst of griefs o'erwhelming storm, 

My solace thou hast been; 
It soothed my anxious heart, to form 
Thy characters, with interest warm, 

And sketch each simple scene. 

By shaded walk and gay parterre, 

Thy pages have been wrought; 
Where Nature points the worshipper 
To that great Power which fashioned her, 
In joyous, grateful thought. 

The strength of Zion's gates to tell, 

The wisdom of her laws, 
To state the doctrines loved so well, 
To picture heaven, to warn from hell, 

And urge the Saviour's cause; 

To paint the beauties of his face, 

To speak his wondrous love, 
And through prophetic Scripture trace 
The unfolding glories of His grace, 

Who pleads for us above; 



THE AUTHOR TO HER BOOK. 

To show the Eternal Spirit's might, 
The Godhead's awful throne; — 

These are the themes of my delight, 

Though all advent'rous is my flight, 

Daring that Empyrean height, 
To angels better known. 

Might thou, my little book, be made 

The means, one soul to bring, 
A willing thrall, to Him who paid 
Our ransom, when he groaned and bled — 

Our Prophet, Priest, and King; 

Such trophy would seem more to me 

And dearer to my heart, 
Than mines of golden ore could be, 
Or fame's entrancing extasy, 

Didst thou these boons impart! 

But most of all, my thought ascends 

For mine own flesh and blood — 
My children, relatives, and friends, 
For them the supplicant lowliest bends, 
That they might serve their God. 

And these glad groups that round me play 

In childhood's sunniest hour, 
My children's children: — 0! that they 
Might early tread the narrow way 

And feel religion's power. 

Then forth! then forth! my little book, 

Forth to the world of men ; 
God's gracious sanction I invoke, 
On all the truths that thou hast spoke — 

His blessing on my pen! 



INTRODUCTION. 



An effective calumny against our Presby- 
terian polity and doctrine is to say they 
are rigid and austere. And it may be, that 
a continual reproach of this kind has endear- 
ed to some intelligent Presbyterians a sort 
of stiff, severe, and formal inculcation of the 
precious truth, which has been held in every 
age, at the cost of much malediction. This . 
fault is of more and more injurious conse- 
quence. Now, when secular instruction of 
every kind is made attractive, by familiar 
and sprightly illustration; when history it- 
self unbends a stately form to the charms 
of dramatic life and variety ; and, above all, 



8 INTRODUCTION. 

when the hoary superstitions of Popery, as 
well as every other form of error and fanati- 
cism, put on the lively fascinations of story 
and romance, we are culpable for the ne- 
glect of any kind of innocent literature, 
which might engage the young with similar 
captivation. Especially, when so much that 
is thrilling may be found in our traditions ; 
so much that is free, expansive, and enno- 
bling may be found in our form of govern- 
ment, our charities, and doctrines, we can- 
not escape the condemnation of posterity, 
unless we labour to transmit this beautiful 
heritage, in every way which the style and 
taste of this generation may find most effec- 
tual to interest those who succeed ns. 

The author of this little work is a lady of 
rare qualifications for such an undertaking. 
A model, herself, in the tuition of her own 
children, remarkably blessed in the success 
of her efforts at home, she is constrained by 
the urgency of her friends, to extend the 



INTRODUCTION. 9 

benefits of this household training to the 
youth of our Church at large. 

There is an ease, a freshness, an ability 
in her manner, which reveal to the attentive 
reader the fact, that what she teaches is 
thoroughly understood by herself. No pre- 
judice of education ever chained her to the 
lessons she is spreading to others. Her own 
early instruction was Unitarian : enlightened, 
thorough, and various, but firmly Unitarian. 
The power of Divine grace, however, an 
earnest and anxious study of the Bible, and 
the most abundant opportunities for a care- 
ful examination of truth on every side, have 
made her, what the following pages show her 
to be, an ardent and persuasive advocate 
for the polity and truth of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Her object is manifestly to do good, by 
winning the youthful mind to attentive con- 
sideration. Though every way endowed for 
a profounder investigation of the topics she 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

handles, there is no parade of research, nor 
affectation of originality : whatever subserves 
the simple design of engaging and convinc- 
ing the young, is the material with which 
she composes her little volume. 

Alexander T. McGill. 



WHY AM I A PRESBYTERIAN? 



PART I. 



CHURCH ORDER 



WHY AM I A PRESBYTERIAN? 



CHAPTER I. 

Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, that 
he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of 
water by the word> that he might present it to himself a 
glorious churchy not having spot or wrinkle or any such 
thing ; but that it should be holy and without blemish* 
Eph. v. 25—27. 

16 My dear aunt," said Mabel Harcourt, one 
Sabbath evening, as she was sitting at a table in 
deep examination of a book, "I am in such per- 
plexity, that I must come to you for help." 
"Do so, and welcome, my dear girl," replied 
Mrs. Lindsay; "indeed I have for some time 
been expecting the application, as I have seen 
you turn over the leaves of my Confession of 
Faith so rapidly. What is your difficulty?" 

"Why, ma'am," returned her niece, "it is 
just this — I want to know why I am a Presby- 
terian." 

" You a Presbyterian !" exclaimed Herbert 
Lindsay, who had been so absorbed in the pe- 
2 



10 WHY AM I 

rusal of a Greek Testament, that his cousin had 
almost forgotten that he was in hearing — "you 
a Presbyterian ! why I should as soon call my 
mother's foot-stool by such an appellation — and 
then the absurdity of your inquiry! If you are 
a Presbyterian, you ought to know why you 
bear the name." 

" Gently, my son, your cousin did not apply 
to you," answered his mother. "Do not mind 
him, my love; but tell us freely all that is on 
your mind. If you want to know why 1 am a 
Presbyterian, I answer, because in that Church 
the gospel was presented to my heart with such 
power, as to convince me of sin, and bring me 
to the knowledge cf the truth, as it is in Jesus ; 
because I like its order and simplicity of wor- 
ship ; and because its government seems to me 
as agreeable to Scripture as it is favourable to 
the rights of the people. How is it that your 
attention has been turned to this subject?" 

"As to that, aunt," replied Mabel, stealing a 
deprecatory look at Herbert, "though I do not 
know so much about religion as you and cousin 
Herbert, I want to be able to say something in 
defence of our church. — Yes indeed cousin ! I 
have a right to say our church — Have I not 
aunt? For you know I was baptized, when a 
baby, and have attended there all my life ?" 



A PRESBYTERIAN? H 

" You are right in your claim of membership 
in the church of your parents, Mabel," said her 
aunt, smiling at her earnestness ; " but you have 
not told us the cause of your distress." 

" No ma'am, I will do so immediately. Laura 
Bell and Emma Borrow were arguing about their 
belief the other day, during recess. Laura is an 
Episcopalian, and Emma is a Roman Catholic: 
and when I wished to help Laura out with some 
texts which she was not clear about, she called 
me a sectary and a dissenter. So I want to find 
something in the Confession of Faith in answer 
to her rudeness." 

" You are rather inexperienced for controversy, 
my child," rejoined Mrs. Lindsay, "and a young 
lady who received your proffered aid so ungra- 
ciously, would not be likely to pay much atten- 
tion to your arguments. But it is right that you 
should try to discover the reason of your attach- 
ment to the mode of worship adopted by your 
parents, and I shall gladly assist you in this im- 
portant investigation." 

" I will tell you how to silence your antagonist, 
Mabel," interposed Herbert: "just ask her to 
compare the Church Catechism with the West- 
minster Assembly's question book. The one 
asks for your names, and talks of godfathers and 
godmothers ; while the other commences with 



12 WHY AM I 

the best interests of man, and the requirements 
of Deity." 

"If you once begin with the Shorter Cate- 
chism, Herbert," said his mother, " you never 
know when to leave off. What did Emma say 
to your quotations from Scripture, Mabel?" 

" Really, aunt, I liked her better than her 
opponent, for she kept her temper. What vexed 
Laura so much was, that when she refused to 
be called Protestant, and said she was likewise 
a Catholic, though an English one, Emma told 
her, that Anglican Catholics often went to Rome 
before they stopped." 

" How different is the Church of England now, 
mother," said Herbert, "with her medieval pre- 
dilections, and popish approximation, to what she 
was in the days of James II., when her bishops 
submitted to the greatest evils rather than sanc- 
tion the errors of the king ; and when she com- 
bined with the dissenters to withstand the pro- 
gress of Romanism !" 

"There is, alas, a lamentable departure from 
the axiom of Chillingsworth," replied Mrs. 
Lindsay, ."that the Bible, and the Bible only, is 
the religion of Protestants. But let us leave 
these young disputants to settle the merits of 
their respective communions, and turn our atten- 
tion to the Church to which we belong. In 



A PRESBYTERIAN? \Q 

defining those who may be classed among its 
members ; in considering its claims to their love 
and obedience, and in showing some of the rich 
benefits and spiritual blessings it bestows, we 
shall find matter for profitable employment on a 
Sabbath evening. We will confine the exercise 
to this period, because Herbert will then be with 
us, to assist us in the derivation of words, facts 
from Church History, &c." 

" Dear mother," answered her son, " I shall 
like to be a learner too, of one whose acquaint- 
ance with Holy Writ is so much more thorough 
than my own. We will together do our best, to 
instruct this young neophyte, and to convince 
her that our Church, if without the splendid 
trappings of the Romish hierarchy, or the exclu- 
sive pretensions of Episcopalianism, is as pure, 
as holy, and as full of tenderness for the lambs 
of the flock, as befits 'that Jerusalem which is 
the mother of us all.' We must, however, 
defer our discussion till after tea, as I hear the 
bell now summoning us to our evening meal." 

While the trio partook of that refreshment 

which cheers but not inebriates, 

some account of them may not be unacceptable 
to the reader, which will be found in the suc- 
ceeding chapter. 
2* 



14 WHY AM I 



CHAPTER II. 

These things write I unto thee, that thou mayest know how 
thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, 
which is the church of the living God, the pillar and 
ground of the truth. — 1 Tim. iii. 14, 15. 

Mrs. Lindsay was the widow of a clergyman 
whose talents were as distinguished as his piety- 
was ardent. While he lived she shared his 
trials, soothed his labours, and was in every 
respect a help-meet for him. After his death 
her solicitude was centred in her only son, to 
whom she devoted herself with all the intensity 
of a mother's love. Nor was he unworthy of 
the stock from whence he sprang. Early was 
he enrolled among the members of the church, 
during a season of revival which visited the con- 
gregation with which his mother was connected ; 
and no sooner had he made " his calling and 
election sure," than he announced his intention 
to follow the footsteps of his father, and become 
a minister of the gospel. This decision was 
opposed by some of his worldly relatives ; 
while most pleasing to his mother's heart, and 
not the less so, because she resided within a 
short distance from a place famed alike for its 
literary and theological institutions; so that the 
entire course of study might be prosecuted by 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 15 

her son, without involving an absence of more 
than six days from the maternal roof. 

Mabel was the eldest daughter of a wealthy- 
Southerner, Mrs. Lindsay's brother. Brought up 
in luxurious indulgence, and permitted by a 
weak and sickly mother to control her own 
actions, much more than was desirable, Mabel 
was idle, childish, and ill-taught. Her father, 
though highly gifted, was prevented from taking 
that supervision of his family w T hich his wife's 
ill-health and indolence made more necessary, 
by the engrossing cares of a laborious profession. 
At length he discovered that some active mea- 
sures were needed to prevent the ruin of his 
daughter ; and having ascertained that the village 
where his sister lived contained a female semi- 
nary of great merit, he begged Mrs. Lindsay to 
receive Mabel into her own family, while she 
attended the school above mentioned. 

The request was granted, and soon a material 
improvement was visible, both in the acquire- 
ments and deportment of Mabel. She loved her 
aunt dearly, and soon became anxious to over- 
come her deficiencies. Herbert she considered 
a prodigy of learning and goodness; though he 
was often wanting in forbearance to her faults, 
and ridiculed her blunders unmercifully. 

Supper over, the table set out, and the lamp 



16 WHY AM I 

burning brightly, Mabel seated herself in close 
attention to the movements of her aunt. That lady- 
turned to her son, saying, "Let us first ascer- 
tain what is the idea conveyed by the term 
church." 

"Oh! aunt, that is such an easy question, 
that I can answer it. A place where we go to 
worship God." 

"That is one sense, my dear, but by no means 
the only one in which the word is used. Your 
meaning is the same as that given by the Bishop 
to the Quaker; who replied, 'Paul's church fell 
on his neck and kissed him, but if thine did so, 
thy neck would be broken. 9 Let us hear 
Herbert's definition." 

"That," replied the youth, "shall be given 
verbatim from the Confession of Faith, chapter 
XXV. 'The visible church' — for that is what we 
are considering — ' which is also catholic or uni- 
versal under the gospel (not confined to one 
nation as under the law) consists of all those 
throughout the world that profess the true 
religion, and their children, and is the kingdom 
of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family 
of God, out of which there is no ordinary possi- 
bility of salvation.' " 

"Do not look so frightened at this long quota- 
tion, my dear," said Mrs. Lindsay, observing her 



A PRESBYTERIAN? Jf 

niece's bewildered glance — "by analysing it, we 
shall soon find out its signification. Visible, you 
know, means what can be seen." 

"Yes aunt, but does this refer to the Presby- 
terian Church?" 

" I hope that the body you speak of forms an 
important part of the visible Church, but it is 
great arrogance in any denomination to appro- 
priate exclusively a title to which others may 
lay claim. The next particular in this descrip- 
tion is catholic. Herbert will tell us its deriva- 
tion." 

" It comes from the Greek words xara, through, 
and qXo<;, whole, signifying universal or general. 
The church of Christ is called catholic, because 
it extends throughout the world, and is pro- 
longed during all time." 

"I thought aunt, that the Catholics were those 
who go to mass, and obey the Pope," 

"This name was given to the Church in her 
days of purity," answered Mrs. Lindsay. 

"Some say," interrupted Herbert, "that Thec- 
dosius the Great first introduced the title, ap- 
pointing by an edict that it should be given, by 
way of pre-eminence, to those churches which ad.- 
hered to the Council of Nice, in exclusion of the 
Arians, &c. Catholicism, however, soon changed 
hands, for under Constantius, Arianism became 



18 WHY AM I 

so predominant that the Arians were called 
Catholics. It is now as much misapplied in its 
assumption by the Papacy, the most corrupt 
and perverted of all, if it may rightly be in- 
cluded among the Churches of Christ." 

" That question has perplexed wiser heads 
than yours, Herbert, and is foreign to our present 
purpose. You see Mabel, how names are often 
continued when their original meaning is for- 
gotten. The universal Church was justly called 
catholic in the time of Polycarp and Ignatius, 
early fathers, who were the immediate followers 
of the Apostles ; but the name is ill-suited to that 
communion which has now appropriated it, at 
the same time retaining so little of the spirit and 
vitality of religion. Our definition goes on 
■ under the gospel, (not confined to one nation as 
under the law)' — what nation is here spoken of?" 

"The Jews, ma'am, I suppose; but I thought 
that God had been angry with them for crucify- 
ing our Saviour." 

" He was so, my dear girl. The fearful con- 
sequences of that crime have acted like a wither- 
ing curse on the once chosen ones of God, ever 
since that period. During the Old Testament 
economy, however, the Jewish people occupied 
a place of honour and pre-eminence, which was 
as peculiar as unequalled." 



A PRESBYTERIAN? \Q 

u Yes," said Herbert with animation, "unto 
them were committed the oracles of the living 
God ; to them pertained the adoption, and the 
glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the 
law and the service of God, and the promises ; 
whose are the fathers, and of whom, as concern- 
ing the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God 
blessed for ever !" 

"From what time did the Church, under the 
Old Testament dispensation, date its commence- 
ment, Herbert?" asked his mother. 

"The first gospel promise, mother, was made 
immediately after the fall of Adam — -that 'the 
seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's 
head ;' and we read of a time when men began 
'to call upon the name of the Lord;' Enoch is 
said by Jude to have prophesied of the judg- 
ment; and Noah is called 'a preacher of right- 
eousness.' We know also that the Patriarchal 
age gave peculiar privileges to the head of the 
family, as the priest, instructer, and ruler of his 
tribe ; such an one as Job appears to have been ; 
but the Church, in her organized capacity, was 
set up in Abraham, with whom Jehovah* made 
repeated covenants ; one of which, called by way 
of pre-eminence the Abrahamic covenant, institu- 
ted circumcision as a visible sign of church mem- 
bership, by which all the Israelites were brought 



20 WHY AM I 

into special nearness and connection with God. 
This part of the subject though, will, I expect^ 
come up more at large hereafter." 

"It will," replied his mother, "The book 
goes on to say that the Church consists of all 
those throughout the world who profess the true 
religion." 

" Would it not be more correct to say, those that 
possess the true religion ?" interposed Mabel. 

"Your criticism would be allowable if w r e had 
the power of discerning the heart, answered 
Mrs. Lindsay ; " but as that is beyond the reach of 
mortals, a credible profession and consistent 
practice are all that can be demanded. Nor 
does it appear that the unmasking of hypocrites 
is always to be performed on earth. The king- 
dom of heaven is likened unto a net, that was 
cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind ; 
and the tares and wheat are to grow r together till 
the great harvest of judgment shall sunder them. 

"Take notice of the phraseology employed — - 
the true religion. In common charity, this must 
include many who do not range under our dis- 
tinctive banner, nor is it easy to avoid the two- 
extremes, of either arrogating to ourselves the 
exclusive favour of our Maker, or indulging in 
that false liberality which deems all safe, lei 
them believe what they may." 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 21 

" I wish th^re were not so many different sects 
aunt," returned Mabel. " That was what Emma 
taunted Laura with, the other day. She said 
that Protestants were always divided among 
themselves, and that only Catholics possessed 
the unity of faith." 

" From an unity hedged in by rack and faggot, 
and purchased by withholding alike the word of 
God, and the right of private judgment, may 
the Lord deliver us !" said Herbert fervently. 

" No doubt, my love," answered Mrs. Lindsay, 
the differences of Christians — often about the 
merest trifles, and carried on, as they too fre- 
quently are, with asperity and unfairness — are 
deeply to be deplored. If however Paul, in his 
day, found that 'some were of Paul, and some of 
Cephas, and some of Apollos,' can we wonder 
that a sectarian spirit should so deeply have 
marred the beauty of Christ's heritage. We 
know that it will not be so in the millennium, for 
it is written, 'Thy watchmen shall lift up the 
voice, w T ith the voice together shall they sing : 
for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord 
shall bring again Zion. 9 " 

"Will everybody be Presbyterians at that 
time, aunt?" asked Mabel. 

" That is a question I cannot answer, my dear; 
as far as our principles are in accordance with 
3 



22 WHY AM I 

Divine truth, they must and wilL prevail; nor 

can I see any reason why they are less fitted 
for that glorious era, than for the present period." 
" Of all the systems of ecclesiastical polity," 
said Herbert, " none are so well suited to every 
exigency, as our own : Jike our political constitu- 
tion, which is based on a similar foundation, Pres- 
byterianism is alike adapted to sway a continent, 
or direct a single congregation. The federative 
principle, combined with that of representation, 
in both preserves the equipoise of contending 
rights. There is now a Synod in India ; what a 
meeting it will be, when Africa, Polynesia, and 
the whole extent of territory already occupied by 
our Domestic Missionaries, shall send their dele- 
gates to some chosen centre, which, like a mighty 
heart, shall extend its vibrations to earth's most 
distant shore !" 

" Do take breath after this excursion of 
your enthusiasm, Herbert. We were speaking, 
Mabel, of the difference of sect. Like ail other 
evils, this, we must believe, can be over-ruled for 
good, by Infinite Wisdom. 

" The fact of so many different denominations 
appealing for proof to the same Bible, has the 
effect of guarding the sacred pages from inter- 
polation, with the most jealous care. When we 
see good men, bearing their Master's image, 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 23 

who do not agree with us, we are taught that 
charity and toleration which it has been so hard 
a lesson for the church to learn ; and when 
divine truth is presented under different forms, 
the minds of men may perhaps find those points 
which will best suit their peculiar conformation. 
Thus, some persons feel no attraction but in the 
fervour of the Methodists; others prefer the 
liturgical service of the Episcopalians, and 
another class love our mode of worship with its 
simple spirituality: 

Beyond the pomp which charms the eye, 
Or rites adorned with gold. 

"Our definition goes on to include, as compre- 
hended in the visible church, not only those who 
profess the true religion, but their children also. 
This part of our subject must be omitted for the 
present. Herbert will now conduct the devotions 
of the family, (after our trusty domestic has 
been called) by singing his favourite psalm, 

I Jove thy kingdom, Lord, 
The house of thy abode, &c." 



CHAPTER III. 

Else were your children unclean; but now are they 
holy. — 1 Cor. vii. 14. 

Often, during the week, did the thoughts of 
Mabel revert to the conversation of the preceding 



24 WHY AM I 

Sabbath ; but her school employments, her even- 
ing walks with her companions, and the little 
acts of assistance she now sought eagerly to ren- 
der in her aunt's w r ell-ordered household, so fully 
occupied her time, that the days passed rapidly 
on, till the Sabbath's consecrated hours arrived. 
The observances of public and family worship 
took up most of the early part of the day; at 
length the shadows of evening gathered our little 
party in Mrs. Lindsay's comfortable parlour, 
and the subject which specially calls our atten- 
tion was resumed. 

" What is the matter now, Mabel ?" demanded 
Herbert, " have you had another set-to with your 
school-mates ?" 

" No cousin, not with those I mentioned to you 
last Sabbath, but I am not much better off, for all 
that. I was telling Jane Parker that aunt had been 
talking to me about the Church, and that it con- 
sisted of children as well as grown up persons ; 
when she declared it was all a mistake, that no 
one had a right to be baptized till they were old 
enough to answer for themselves, and that baby- 
sprinkling w r as of as little use as bowing to an 
image, or crossing ourselves with holy water." 

" That would certainly dismember you, at 
once, from the church with which you claim 
affinity, Mabel," said Mrs. Lindsay; " but per- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 25 

haps we may be able to convince you that 
Miss Parker was too hasty in her conclusions. 
The point of our discussion this evening goes 
at once to contradict her assertions. In our for- 
mer conversation, you may remember, that your 
cousin traced the organization of the Church to 
Abraham, who is called 'the father of all them 
that believe.' In Genesis, chapter xvii. we find 
that the patriarch's name was changed from 
Abram to Abraham, which signifies ' father of a 
great multitude ;' referring doubtless, to the fact 
that his spiritual children should be gathered 
from among the Gentiles, as well as from his 
natural descendants. Then follows the institu- 
tion of circumcision, by which every pious Jew 
was enabled to present his male offspring to the 
Lord in a visible church capacity. 

" Now, as the relation between parent and child 
is one of the nearest of earthly ties, and as the 
marriage connexion was ordained by God, as 
the best possible arrangement for the nurture 
and training of children, there seems abundant 
fitness in an organization which includes infants 
in the benefits of church membership. 

" If this fitness existed in the Old Testament 

dispensation, shall we, in this day of extended 

privilege, relinquish our right to it, also? The 

Abrahamic covenant has never been annulled, 

3* 



26 WHY AM I 

even though the natural branches have- been 
lopped off for their unbelief; for the Gentiles have 
been grafted in, and partake of the root and fat- 
ness of the olive tree. In virtue therefore of this 
it is that pious parents present their children to 
God in the ordinance of baptism ; a sacrament 
which has superseded circumcision, as better 
adapted to the nature of the Christian Church, 
and including both sexes in the fulness of its 
privilege. Had any change in this respect been 
the characteristic of the new dispensation, it 
would assuredly have been made a subject of 
complaint by these Judaizing teachers, who were 
so unwilling to consent to any innovation." 

" Yes," said Herbert, " that it would : Peter's 
announcement that 'the promise was to them 
and to their children,' would hardly have recon- 
ciled them to the excision of their progeny. 
And where our Saviour says, ' Suffer little 
children to come unto me and forbid them not, 
for of such is the kingdom of heaven,' if we are 
not to understand this to mean the visible 
church, the enemies of infant baptism are 
reduced to the dilemma of excluding those from 
the church on earth, who, as our Saviour tells 
us, have a right to that in heaven. And then if 
infant baptism be not a significant and efficacious 
thing, why is it that so many who have received 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 27 

it, are converted and made real Christians ? We 
could scarcely expect such a result if it be mere- 
ly a commandment of man. Now as to the mode 
of its administration." 

"Miss Parker, aunt," interposed Mabel, "told 
me that immersion is the only right way; and 
she says there is a passage in Scripture, where 
John is said to have been baptizing, ' because 
there was much water there.' " 

" If you would read the first five verses of the 
eighteenth chapter of Acts, Mabel," said her 
cousin, " you would see that John's baptism was 
not obligatory on us as a Christian rite ; but was 
merely an introductory ordinance, suited to the 
transition state of his own era. The sacrament 
we are considering was instituted by our Lord, 
just before his ascension to heaven ; when, as his 
last command, his disciples were instructed to 
'baptize all nations in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' Is it 
not worthy of remark, mother,. that no mention is 
made of ' much water' being required, in any of 
the baptizings of the Apostles ; not even when 
three thousand received this ordinance, on the 
day of Pentecost?" 

" It is so, my son; but there are other reasons 
for disputing the necessity of immersion. Under 
the Mosaic ritual every thing was enjoined in its 



28 WHY AM I 

utmost minutiae. From the most important to the 
most trivial ceremonial observance, the directions 
given were so explicit that there was no possi- 
bility of mistake. In our dispensation, on the 
contrary, there is none of this detail as to the 
letter, but more direction as to the spirit of our 
worship. Had the mode by immersion been so 
all-important, surely the precept would have 
been more clearly marked. As to the argument 
from the term used in the original, always bear- 
ing that meaning, it is fallacious ; as there are 
many passages where it makes nonsense, to give 
it such a signification." 

" Yes indeed, Qotimfy often stands for immer- 
sion, but it cannot mean so, in Luke xi. 13; 
Mark vii. 4; 1 Cor. x. 2. In the Septuagint 
also, this same word is translated 'sprinkle.' 
Isaiah Hi. 15." 

"Besides," returned his mother, "all those 
passages which speak of baptism by fire, or by 
the Holy Ghost, .cannot have any reference to 
the sense contended for; and, in the absence of 
all specification, the difference of climate, habits, 
and manners, may well be allowed to modify the 
practice of the Church. When our Lord washed 
his disciples' feet, Peter exclaimed, 'Not my feet 
only but my hands and head :' but his Master 
answered, 'he that is washed needeth not, save 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 29 

to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.' So 
we may say to our Baptist brethren — If we have 
with us the thing signified by water-baptism, 
we may well dispense with that submersion of 
the body, which to you appears so essential. 
Even if we concede that immersion was the 
primary idea, by what authority do they decide 
that our deviation destroys the efficacy of the 
sacrament altogether? As regard the Lord's 
Supper, all Protestants deviate more or less from 
the rite of institution, yet never has it been 
thought that by so doing they vitiate the purity 
of that ordinance. The Baptists here are no 
more literal, in their observance, than others ; 
yet, because of this, no one undertakes to un- 
church the whole denomination. Perhaps it 
would be wiser in our churches to leave a dis- 
cretionary power with the minister, as hi the 
Episcopal service, to ' dip or sprinkle' as cir- 
cumstances render expedient; thus allowing a 
weak brother to receive the rite as his conscience 
dictates." 

" Such was the practice of the primitive 
Church, mother; where, as is well known, 
sprinkling and partial washing were used in- 
differently, and according to present convenience, 
with immersion, in administering the baptismal 
service, particularly in the case of clinics, and 



30 WHY AM I 

those of great delicacy of constitution or of 
health." 

" Thus much for the external method," con- 
tinued Mrs. Lindsay. "But as we are told in 
the Larger Catechism, 'The sacraments become 
effectual means of salvation, not by any power 
in themselves, or any virtue derived from the 
piety or intention of him by whom they are 
administered ; but only by the working of the 
Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom 
they are instituted.' Too many, even in our 
own Church, appear to consider infant baptism 
in the light of a charm or talisman, which may 
affect their children in the prospect of death ; 
while for their healthy ones, it never procures 
one prayer for instruction, or guidance in the 
truth, or one feeling that they bear the Saviour's 
mark,* and are devoted to his service. Not but 
that it is an unspeakable consolation to a parent, 
to think that his babes who are taken away by 
death, have had the name of the Lord Jesus 
named upon them ; but his hopes for their sal- 
vation, are founded on a surer basis than l meats 
or drinks,' or outward observances ; even on the 
finished work of Him who, ' though he was rich, 
yet for our sakes became poor, that we through 
his poverty might become rich.' " 

" There is one argument you have not men- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 31 

tioned, mother," said Herbert, "and that is, that 
when the household of Stephanas, Lydia, and the 
jailer are said to be baptized, the word used, »xo?, 
generally includes children in its signification. 
If these were baptized with their parents on the 
profession of the latter's faith, all is easily ac- 
counted for; but while we can hardly imagine 
these families to have been all without children, 
we hear nothing of any exception being made, 
on account of their not being able to make 
answer for themselves." 

"We do not," said his mother, "and therefore 
we may conclude that they were received into 
the Christian church — as they would have been 
assuredly into the Old Testament one — from 
their relation to the converted parent. Thus 
Paul says of those who were the offspring of a 
believer and an idolater: 'Else were your 
children unclean, but now are they holy,' 
plainly showing that relative holiness is thus the 
consequence of their Christian birthright. In 
other words, that they are holy in the sense in 
which things themselves inanimate are said to 
be so, because they are set apart for the service 
of Jehovah. 

"From what has been said this evening, we 
learn the importance of Christian nurture. The 
young heir of immortality is to be trained up for 



§2 WHY AM I 

heaven. Confided by the Church to those who 
have covenanted in the most solemn manner in 
its behalf, to bring it up for God ; in a world 
surrounded by temptations, allurements, and 
enemies to their souls, this work is worthy of an 
angel's love ; but it needs a power, more than 
angelic. Let no one undertake it in his own 
strength, but ' looking unto Jesus,' seek to do 
the work more faithfully, more consistently, more 
successfully. 

" Then will there be an efficacy in the ordinan- 
ces of the sanctuary hitherto unknown, and min- 
isters will no longer be compelled to utter that 
mournful lamentation, 'Who hath believed our 
report?' " 



CHAPTER IV. 

And what, the son of my vows ? — Prov. xxxi. 2. 
Thy vows are upon me, God : I wiJl render praises unto 
thee. — Psalm lvi. 12. 

" Let us now," resumed Mrs. Lindsay, " con- 
sider the claims which the Church has to the 
love and obedience of its members ; and the first 
remark I would make is this, that all directions 
for the conduct of professors are equally binding 
on their children." 

" How is that aunt ? You would not have 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 33 

every one that has been baptized come to the 
sacrament, would you?" 

"Far be it from me, my child, to induce any 
one to approach that sacred table, who has not 
experienced ' faith to feed upon the Saviour, and 
that repentance, love, and new obedience,' with- 
out which he would be in danger of 'eating and 
drinking judgment to his own soul.' What I 
meant was, that the lambs of the flock should be 
folded in those safe enclosures of word and action 
which have been deemed needful for the sheep, 
and that they be no longer permitted to indulge 
so freely in those amusements which their 
pious friends avoid and condemn. Can it be 
believed that the fascinations of the ball-room, and 
the witchery of the theatre, are not more fatal to 
the inexperienced mind of youth than they can 
be to saints matured in holiness ? And if the 
draught be poisonous to the parent, can it be 
innoxious to the child ?" 

"But, dear mother, the pursuits you speak of, 
would have no allurement for a Christian." 

" Granted, and hence the propriety of guard- 
ing our children against what we know to be so 
deleterious to ourselves. They discern not the 
danger, and in their self-will, may blame us for 
our precautions, or seek to render them vain, but 
this does not alter the real state of the case ; and, 
4 



34 WHY AM I 

as we would withhold from them the most deli- 
cious beverage, if the cup be drugged with 
death, or snatch from their grasp the gilded 
bauble that had a dagger's point, so let Qhris- 
tian professors, as far as in them lies, preserve 
their offspring from that 'friendship of the w r orld 
which is enmity against God.' They may be 
called bigotted, morose, and puritanical; but 
their children, if made partakers of like glorious 
promises, will thank them for their faithfulness 
in Heaven ; and, even on the other fearful alter- 
native, of their being hardened in sin, it will 
be some consolation to the authors of their being, 
that their skirts are free from the blood of those 
they loved so dearly. The first claim of the 
Church which I shall bring forward, arises from 
its object. This a little reflection will enable us 
to see, in all its importance. We are told by Paul, 
of 'the intent that now unto the principalities and 
powers in heavenly places might be known 
by the Church the manifold wisdom of God, 
according to the eternal purpose which he pur- 
posed in Christ Jesus our Lord.' And Peter, 
when speaking of 'the things which had been 
reported, by those that had preached the gospel 
with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven,' 
adds, 'which things, the angels desire to look 
into.' The first object to be embraced by this 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 35 

wonderful institution, is to promote the declara- 
tive glory of God. Something of this is shadow- 
ed forth to us, in the fifth chapter of Revelations, 
where the new song is sung by those, to rescue 
whom Christ passed by the nature of angels, 
and took on him that of the seed of Abraham. 
A subordinate object, and one worthy of divine 
origin, is the welfare of mankind. To promote 
this, he who is 'the head of the body the 
church,' commenced early in time those mani- 
festations of love, which were 'foreordained 
before the foundations of the world.' In the 
covenant made with Abraham, in 'the Church 
in the wilderness;' in the whole detail of his 
sufferings, privations, labours, and death, we see 
abundant proofs that 'he loved the Church and 
gave himself for it.' Nor was 'this unspeak- 
able gift,' the only one, made to this organiza- 
tion. As a Comforter to cheer his disciples in 
their orphanage, Christ promised the Holy 
Spirit, whose miraculous appearance on the day 
of Pentecost, attested the fact of the Saviour's 
power with the Father, and proved that his 
office work was accepted. To this Church also 
he gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, 
and teachers, the sacraments of his house, the 
Holy Scriptures, the preaching of the word, and 
the direction of order and discipline. This 



36 WHY AM I 

Church, against which the gates of hell shall 
never prevail, has stood the open enmity, and 
the treacherous friendship of her foes ; has been 
reformed from that mass of error which had, 
with a few exceptions, so overwhelmed the truth 
in the fifteenth century, and is now transplanted 
to distant climes, and savage regions, that 'the 
desert may rejoice and blossom as a rose.' What 
higher degrees of efficiency and power are to be 
conferred upon her, when 'kings shall be her 
nursing fathers, and their queens her nursing 
mothers,' you may gather, in some degree, 
from chapter xlix. of Isaiah. Who can refuse 
to acknowledge the authority of an institution 
thus founded, and endowed with privileges so 
important !" 

"You mean authority of a moral and spiritual 
kind, dear mother, of course." 

"Certainly," replied Mrs. Lindsay, "the apos- 
tle settles that question when he says, ' the wea- 
pons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty 
through God, to the pulling down of strong- 
holds ;' it is, however, not the less real; nor can 
its requirements be cast ofT with impunity, be-, 
cause they do not suit with the corrupt inclina- 
tions of our fallen nature." 

"If such is the authority of the Church, and 
so much guilt is incurred by the neglect of it, 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 37 

aunt," said Mabel, "are not those better off, on 
whom such a responsibility does not rest?" 

"Responsibility and privilege, my dear, go 
hand in hand. Opportunities neglected enhance 
our condemnation ; but should we, therefore, 
desire to forego the one, lest we increase the 
other? Let us rather, in humble dependence on 
the divine blessing, make use of the means 
placed in our hands to attain the end for which 
they were bestowed. While on this part of our 
subject, I might enlarge on the Author of this 
Church, as well the pre-eminent attitude it holds 
in all the announcements in reference to it, but 
it is getting late, and all we can now do is to 
glance at the blessings it bestows upon its mem- 
bers, even those who have not assumed their full 
share in its privileges. It is from these that 
the Church in an ordinary way derives her in- 
crease. Doubtless all of them are more or less 
the subjects of the strivings of the Spirit ; many 
of them by his restraining grace are preserved 
from outward sin ; others, from having been 
brought into contact with the means of grace, 
find the Saviour precious to their souls. Then 
there are the prayers of the Church, put up 
by pastors, elders, and holy men, in behalf 
of the children of the faithful; the instructions 
of catechizing and Bible classes ; the means 
4* 



88 WHY AM I 

of getting and doing good in Sabbath schools, 
juvenile associations, and missionary socie- 
ties ; and the powerful effects arising from 
sympathy and intercourse with pious persons. 
If Christian nurture were as closely observed as 
its importance demands, there would be less 
dying out of family piety ; and parents would 
more frequently be permitted to say, 'Here am 
I, and all the children thou hast given me.' " 

" But, aunt, good people sometimes have very 
bad children." 

" Whenever this occurs, Mabel, we may be 
sure there is a flaw somewhere ; for the pro- 
mise is positive and direct, 'Train up a child in 
the way he should go, and when he is old he 
will not depart from it.' Some fail in practice, 
some in faith, while sometimes doubtless, the an- 
swer is deferred, to increase our importunity, 
and show the divine sovereignty of God's deal- 
ings with his people. It is an humbling exhi- 
bition of the enmity of the natural heart, when 
we see those who have devoted parents, and yet 
stand out against every offer of mercy, and force 
their way to ruin, notwithstanding all that can 
be done to induce them to turn and live." 

"Among the privileges you have mentioned, 
mother, I do not find one w r hich I can appreciate 
from my own experience. I mean doctrinal 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 39 

knowledge of the fundamental truths of reli- 
gion." 

" This, my dear boy, is indeed another item 
of benefit; and if it does not include a practical 
view of the subject, still it is important to pre- 
vent mistakes, and lay a foundation of sound 
doctrine in the mind. Thus seed may be sown 
in the ground, and lie inert for years, which, if 
exposed to the genial influence of moisture, heat, 
and air, will germinate and grow. So early in- 
struction in the first principles of the oracles 
of the living God, cannot avail to change the 
heart ; but when the life-giving Spirit does 
come, will spring up and flourish under his 
benign influence. Our first impressions are 
often the strongest, and return to us in all their 
force, even after long intervals of time. Thus 
many a hardened sinner has w r ept at the re- 
membrance of a mother's prayer, and with his 
expiring breath repeated truths inculcated in 
childhood. Thus may the pious parent hope 
for a fulfilment of that promise 'I will pour my 
Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon ihine 
offspring, and they shall spring up as among 
the grass, as willows by the water-courses.' " 



40 WHY AM I 



CHAPTER V. 

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee 
by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the 
presbytery. — 1 Tim. iv. 14. 

" Well, little student, what fresh trouble has 
overtaken you?" asked Herbert on the succeed- 
ing Sabbath evening, as he looked in the face of 
his cousin. 

"Oh ! Herbert, I am afraid that aunt and you 
will think your time ill-spent in teaching me ; 
when I am with you, every thing seems plain, 
yet the least objection made by others overturns 
all that has been said." 

" Do not be uneasy about that, my child," re- 
turned her aunt, " we wish you to receive what 
we say, only as it accords with Scripture, and 
the fact of its being controverted has the effect 
of giving interest to our discussions, and impress- 
ing them more strongly on your mind. Tell 
us what is your present difficulty?" 

"You know, aunt, that Bishop Wilkins is in 
the village, and Laura Bell says he is one of the 
regular successors of the apostles, and that there ' 
were no Presbyterians till the days of John Cal- 
vin ; and as you were talking to me about the 
Church, I thought perhaps you would say some- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 41 

thing respecting its government ; but I was 
afraid cousin Herbert would laugh at me, if I • 
proposed such a thing." 

" I am sure, my Jove, that your cousin will 
never ridicule a wish for knowledge, especially 
if it relate to that system which he holds in such 
esteem. Church government is certainly in- 
cluded in our subject, though, fearing it might 
be uninteresting to you, I had intended to omit 
it. But as you wish for information I will try 
to make things as simple as possible. Every 
institution requires laws for its regulation, and 
these laws to be binding must be issued by a 
a competent authority. Acting on these prin- 
ciples, Presbyterians acknowledge no ordinances 
but such as are founded on the word of God, 
and bear the impress of the authority of Christ, 
the King and Head of his body the Church, 
The term Presbyterian comes from a Greek 
word. Herbert, tell us its derivation." 

" UfBc-fivrepoq, mother, is literally an aged 
person, translated elder, in the common version 
of the Bible. This title was well known to the 
Jews, who had elders over the nation, as well as 
over every city, and smaller community. Then 
there were the elders of the synagogue." 

"It is impossible for us," said Mrs. Lindsay, 
" to fix the time for the first use of synagogues 



42 WHY AM I 

in Israel. They are mentioned in the seventy- 
fourth Psalm, supposed to have been written dur- 
ing the Babylonish captivity ; and, before our 
Saviour's time, were very numerous in the land 
of Judea. It is from them we trace our form 
of government, as regards the office of ruling 
elder." 

" The Episcopalians, mother, will tell you that 
the temple worship was the model for the 
arrangement of the Christian edifice." 

"There I cannot agree with them. The 
temple, with it gorgeous decorations and costly 
ritual, was admirably suited to the dispensation 
of types and shadows, but, like that, was to dis- 
appear before the milder and more enlightened 
period which should succeed to it. There is no 
similarity between the three ranks of the 
Aaronic priesthood, and the bishops, priests, and 
deacons of Episcopacy ; nor are Christ's min- 
isters once termed priests in the New Testa- 
ment. The idea of a hierarchy at all, either 
with or without a visible earthly head, has no 
warrant from Scripture ; nay, is even opposed to 
such declarations as these : 'My kingdom is not 
of this world.' ' Whosoever will be great among 
you let him be your minister, and whosoever will 
be chief among you, let him be your servant." 
Christ appeared in the temple, only as a wor- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 43 

shipper and public teacher, not as a priest. In 
the course of his life we often read of his wor- 
shipping in the synagogues and preaching there ; 
so Saul of Tarsus after his conversion ' preached 
Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of 
God.' This practice was universal among the 
apostles, all of whom being Jews were well 
acquainted with the mode of government therein 
prevalent. We know too that our Lord, who w T hile 
he never shrunk from rectifying abuses, was ten- 
der of the national feelings of his countrymen, did 
not wish to put 'new wine in old bottles,' and 
'suffered it to be so;' we can therefore see 
great propriety in his adopting for the govern- 
ment of the nascent kingdom, an order of things 
with which they were familiar. Twice is this 
word applied to Christian assemblies, (Heb. x. 25. 
James ii. 2.) which certainly would indicate 
that a similarity of organization was observed. 
When our Lord said 'Tell it to the church,' the 
only one then existing was the Jewish one ; and 
unless we take the congregational plan, and 
suppose that every grievance was to be published 
to every one in fellowship in the society, it 
must mean the elders of the synagogue, whose 
special office it was to redress complaints, settle 
differences, and administer discipline. In many 
places in the New Testament, a plurality of 






44 WHY AM I 

Presbyters were ordained in the same church, 
and the mass of the people are spoken of as 
under their authority. 'Let the Presbyters that 
rule well,' says Paul to Timothy, 'be counted 
worthy of double honour, especially they who 
labour in the word and doctrine.' In this text, 
dear Mabel, is contained the germ of Presbyte- 
rianism. Two classes, both bearing; the name 
of Presbyter are distinctly marked. One to rule 
and preach, the other to rule only. The one 
class, 'as ambassadors for Christ, as though God 
did beseech you by them, pray you in Christ's 
stead to be reconciled to God.' The other, as 
they ' that rule with diligence,' ( governments,' 
'they that have the rule over you,' whom 
the Hebrews were exhorted ' to submit to' 
and 'obey.' Preaching and the pastoral office 
are committed to the first ; whose entrance into 
the ministry is guarded by every precaution 
which human wisdom can suggest; and who, 
after a defined course of instruction and prepa- 
ration, are ' by the laying on of the hands of the 
Presbytery,' admitted to that parity of office, 
which " is the dearest ^portion of our polity. 
Ruling is the appropriate function of the second, 
who, chosen from the people, represent them, 
protect their rights, and with the minister, con- 
stitute the session, the primary church court. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 45 

The Presbytery consists of all the ministers and 
one ruling elder from each congregation within 
a certain district; (Chap. X. Sec. 2, Form of 
Government,) and from this judicatory, which is 
properly speaking the source of power, a delega- 
ted number of ministers and elders are sent to the 
General Assembly — the last resort for appeal or 
redress, which meets annually. The Synod is a 
collection of Presbyteries formed on the same 
ratio ; and is amenable to the Assembly for its 
decisions, which are either confirmed or reversed 
as the collective voice of the Assembly shall 
resolve. This form of government is so just, so 
simple, so well fitted to the wants of the Church, 
we have difficulty in accounting for the fact of 
its having so soon been superseded by Prelacy 
or Diocesan Episcopacy ; unless we conclude 
that the change was produced, either by a mis- 
conception of the nature of the Jewish Theocracy, 
or by that approximation to heathenism, which 
as soon as the flames of persecution were 
exchanged for the patronage of the Emperor, 
required a Christian bishop to succeed the Pon- 
tifex Maximus, even as .he idol temples were 
transformed into places of worship for the pre- 
valent religion. 

"As to the assertion that Calvin invented the 
office of ruling elder, which I suppose was what 

5 



46 WHY AM I 

Miss Bell meant, I think it is evident that it 
takes its origin from a higher antiquity ; and, as 
to his introducing them among the Waldenses or 
Christians of the Valleys, there is full evidence 
that he found them there, and availed himself of 
this discovery to introduce them into the Re- 
formed Churches. Let any unprejudiced mind 
view those countries where Presbyterianism has 
prevailed — Scotland, Holland, and Switzerland, 
and compare the intelligence, the piety, the love 
of liberty, civil and religious, evinced by these 
nations, with those of their neighbours, and they 
will not lose by the process. If any doubt of the 
importance of the eldership as a distinct class of 
our ecclesiastical polity exist, one glance at the 
past will furnish cogent proof of their utility in 
the councils of the Church, where their plain 
sense and strong attachment to the c old paths, 
where is the good way,' have often proved a 
beneficial counterpoise to that love of novelty 
and tendency to the vain babblings and opposition 
of science, falsely so called, which are so fre- 
quently induced by the studious habits and 
sedentary pursuits of the preaching presbyter." 

" But, mother, you have not yet said any thing 
about the apostolic succession contended for by 
Romanists and Episcopalians." 

"The lateness of the hour gives me little time 
to dispose of a question on which the High 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 47 

Church Episcopalians join issue with that Church 
which condemned a Hooper, a Ridley, and a 
Cranmer to the flames. I need not tell you, 
Herbert, who are so familiar with your Greek 
Testament, that bishop and presbyter are con- 
vertible terms, applied indiscriminately to the 
same class of office-bearers in the Church. Thus 
Paul sent for the elders of the church, and told 
them, 'take heed therefore unto yourselves 
and to all the flock over w T hich the Holy Ghost 
hath made you bishops.'' In his epistle to Titus 
the same apostle says: 'For this cause left I 
thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order 
the things that are wanting, and ordain presby- 
ters in every city, as I had appointed thee: if 
any be blameless, the husband of one wife, 
having faithful children, not accused of riot, or 
unruly. For a bishop must be blameless? &c." 

"Does it not seem rather inconsistent, mother, 
in the Episcopalians to use your first quotation 
in the ordination service of a bishop or arch- 
bishop? As to the second, they assert that it 
proves Titus to have been bishop of Crete, as 
Timothy was of Ephesus." 

" Let their assertion, my son, give place to 
Paul's exhortation, when he tells Timothy to do 
t the work of an evangelist.' It was in conse- 
quence of bearing this office, designed to assist 
the apostles in their arduous duties, though like 



48 WHY AM I 

them not intended to be permanent in the Church, 
that these young men were appointed to ordain 
presbyters, reprimand and excommunicate of- 
fenders, and set all things in order in the churches 
they visited. Presbyters, however, are not only 
termed bishops, but they actually exercised au- 
thority in the Church, in conjunction with the 
apostles themselves, and on the principle of 
parity. This you will find exemplified in Acts 
xv. where 'Paul and Barnabas, and certain 
other of them,' were appointed to go to the 
apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, to appeal 
from the decision of the judaizing teachers who 
had come down from Judea. On this occasion 
the apostles acted as members of this meeting 
simply; not appealing to their extraordinary 
powers, nor introducing any influence, save that 
of facts, of written Scripture, and of argument 
on both. Thus in the Synod of Jerusalem 
all the decisions are made in the name of the 
apostles and presbyters, Acts xv. 2, and the 
word employed to express the result of their 
deliberations is Joy/^a, a decree or authoritative 
verdict, Acts xvi. 4. Peter says, 'the elders 
which are among you I exhort, who am also an 
elder," &c. This does not look like primacy, 
nor does his exhortation seem to have had much 
weight with his nominal successors, who certain- 
ly were more anxious to be ' lords over God's 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 49 

heritage,' than ' examples to the flock.' If Peter 
possessed any primacy, it was more that of age 
and character than of office. None of the twelve, 
except Judas Iscariot, sinned so deeply, or was 
reproved so repeatedly ; and the passage which 
has been brought to support this fallacy, Matt, 
xvi. 16, is more likely to refer to Christ, the 
Rock of Ages, than to the name of Peter, which 
signifies a stone." 

"Yes, mother, and the change from the mas- 
culine vsTpoq to TTsrpx, a feminine noun, often ap- 
plied to our Lord, Rom. ix. 33 ; 1 Cor. x. 4 ; 1 
Pet. ii. 8, is easily accounted for, if himself or his 
own Messiahship be the foundation ; but if Peter 
is to be elevated so far above the other apostles, 
it is difficult to be explained." 

" We cannot," continued Mrs. Lindsay, "allow 
that the diocesan bishops of any Church can be 
successors to the apostles, in another sense than 
that in which all faithful ministers maybe called 
so; because it would seem from Acts i. 21, 22; 
1 Cor. ix. 1, to have been essential to an apostle 
to have seen the Lord Jesus ; and because also, 
there is no intimation of successors ever havino- 
been appointed to this class of church officers. 
We believe them to have been extraordinary in 
their mission and miraculous powers ; and, 
therefore, not needed to continue beyond the 
term of their own existence. That the Papacy 



50 WHY AM I 

should talk of the uninterrupted succession of 
ecclesiastical authority, is perhaps not surpris- 
ing, though in so doing, their statements are at 
variance with the history of the Church, when 
we see popes with councils rejecting the decrees 
of preceding popes with councils ; and when 
popes without councils have done the same, as 
well as councils without popes ; but that the 
Episcopal Church, once one of the firmest bul- 
warks against the Papacy, should uphold her in 
pretensions so unscriptural, and should un- 
church all her Protestant sisters, to claim descent 
from, and affinity with, this corrupt and priest- 
ridden denomination, must call forth alike the 
sorrow and indignation of those whom she has 
thus aggrieved. 

" We have now, my dear girl, come to the 
conclusion of the course intended to vidicate our 
order and discipline as a Church. Let me call 
your attention to the fact, that there is a large 
number in it who have been introduced into its 
enrolment by virtue of the faith of their parents. 
Oh ! that my voice might reach these care- 
less ones, for whom 

The public prayer is made, 
The private tear is shed; 

and have the power to convince them, that all 
this array of privilege bears with it an extent of 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 51 

responsibility, which, if not improved in time, 
will bear hard on their souls through an endless 
eternity. The water of baptism has been shed 
upon their brow — the prayers of the Church are 
offered in their behalf — their feet are early led 
to the sanctuary — their ears are familiar with 
the language of Canaan — their hearts are often 
convicted of sin by the Spirit of Holiness — to 
them are unfolded the gates of Heaven, and the 
portals of Tophet — ' heaven and earth is called 
to record against them, that there has been set 
before them death and life, blessing and curs- 
ing ;' may they then ' choose life that their 
souls may live !' " 

A profound silence here ensued, but it was 
easy to perceive that Mabel had listened atten- 
tively to her aunt's address. From this time it 
was evident that a change — silent indeed, and 
unobtrusive, but real — had taken place in her 
feelings on the subject of religion. To Herbert, 
also, the conversations here detailed, were not 
without their use. He felt humbled, that one 
so highly favoured had not made more progress 
in the divine life ; and as he reviewed some of 
the principles of his faith, he longed for the 
time when he should stand forth the accredited 
minister of his Church, to defend her from 



52 WHY AM I A PRESBYTERIAN ? 

treacherous\ friends, and open enemies, and 
avouch to the world, that 'after the way which' 
some 'call heresy, so worshipped he the God of 
his fathers.' While to Mrs. Lindsay this brief 
review of the evidences of her Church's order 
only enkindled her love for its ordinances, and 
her desire to feed the lambs of her Saviour's 
flock. Although her prayers for her son had 
been so signally answered, she did not attribute 
the blessing to her own deserving; and her heart 
still yearned in sympathy for parents who beheld 
not all their children walking in the 'strait 
and narrow way.' More especially did she la- 
ment, when talent, acquirement, amiable exterior, 
and religious parentage, all centred in those 
youth who turned their thoughts to other objects 
than the service of God and devotedness to his 
cause ; for she knew, at this juncture, that the 
Church had need of such to occupy places of 
honour and usefulness, and to convince the un- 
godly that there still were some who would 
'come to the help of the Lord against the 
mighty.' 



THE END. 



WHY AM I A PRESBYTERIAN? 



PART II. 



A VINDICATION OF DOCTRINE. 



WHY AM I A PRESBYTERIAN? 



CHAPTER I. 

Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and 

hast crowned him with glory and honour. 
Upholding all things by the word of His power. 

" Do you know, aunt," said Mabel Harcourt, 
one fine Sabbath evening in the spring, " that I 
am not satisfied with those conversations we held 
last winter," on the order and government of the 
Presbyterian Church." 

"Not satisfied, Mabel!" exclaimed Herbert 
Lindsay indignantly, "then you are indeed 
incorrigible ; and if the direct Scripture proof, 
and the analogy of faith, by which my mother 
established her positions, cannot convince you, I 
hope she will give up all further endeavours in 
despair." 

"Gently, cousin," replied Mabel, "you quite 
mistake me. I am convinced by the past conver- 
sations, but that does not prevent my wishing to 
have them renewed on other subjects; and that 
2 



14 WHY AM I 

was what I meant, when I said that I was not 
satisfied." 

"Oh ! if that is the case," returned Herbert, a 
little ashamed of his impetuosity, "I ask your 
pardon for my abruptness. The only excuse I 
can make is, that my church and my mother are 
very tender points, and that to impugn either, is 
more than my philosophy can stand." 

" You might give me credit for love to the 
first, and gratitude to the second, cousin;" 
answered Mabel, fondly caressing Mrs. Lindsay 
as she spoke. " You remember aunt, you pro- 
mised to instruct me in some of the doctrines of 
the church." 

"I did so," said that lady, "and if you like, 
we will begin to-night. When shall we com- 
mence Herbert? You must be doubly com- 
municative, to make up for your late petu- 
lance." 

"I will do all I can mother. Let us attend to 
the effects 

'Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit 
Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste 
Brought death into the world and all our woe. 5 " 

"Willingly," replied his mother, "on condi- 
tion however, that you do not substitute Milton 
for Scripture. But before we come to this fatal 
act, let us take a peep at the ' blissful bower' of 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 15 

Paradise, and consider its favoured inmates in 
their pristine purity. A situation more fitted for 
enjoyment than theirs, it is difficult to imagine. 
The possession of life, natural and spiritual, in 
its novelty and vigour, the circumstances of 
abundance and comfort in which they were 
placed, the dominion given them over the newly 
decorated earth, and the animals which it con- 
tained — the consciousness of being made in their 
Maker's image, 'without spot or wrinkle or any 
such thing,' the friendship and communion of 
God and good angels, the companionship and 
delights of wedded love, without torment or 
alloy, a perfect freedom from sickness, want, or 
care, and an exemption from all those 'ills 
which flesh is heir to' in our present 'state of 
sin and misery;' what more could man desire? 
Even here, however, the desire for forbidden 
gratification crept in, and defiled the garden of 
the Lord ! Mabel you can inform us how God 
executes his decrees." 

"The Shorter Catechism tells us, aunt, that it 
is in the works of creation and providence." 

"It does so, and these two great departments 
of almighty power, comprehend all that we 
know of his dealings with his creatures. They 
often appear to be almost synonymous ; for the 
preservation of existence has been termed a con- 



16 WHY AM I 

tinual creation ; while on the other hand what 
are called the laws of nature, secure to every 
species the means of reproduction. * God's 
works of providence' however comprehend not 
only 'the preserving' but 'the governing all his 
creatures, and all their actions." 5 

"Aunt, I should like to know what you think 
about a particular providence. You know poor 
Laura Bridgeman was so distressed, to find that 
God did not literally number the very hairs of 
her head." 

" The poor child's infirmity, would doubtless 
make all metaphor difficult to her comprehen- 
sion. 'Providence, is the care which God takes 
of all things, to uphold them in being, and direct 
them to the ends which he has determined to 
accomplish by them, so that nothing takes place, 
in which he is not concerned in a manner worthy 
of his infinite perfections, and which is not in 
unison with the counsel of his will.' "* 

"A particular providence, includes the idea of 
watchful care, exercised over every thing that 
lives. This is explicitly taught in Scripture. 
'Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, 
and not one of them is forgotten before God? 
But even the very hairs of your head are all 
numbered. Fear not therefore : ye are of more 

* Dick's Theology. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? Jf 

value than many sparrows.' It also extends to 
government as well as preservation. Thus the 
Deity limits and overrules sinful actions; orders 
things, themselves evil, in such a manner as to 
conduce to beneficial results; converts chastise- 
ments into blessings, and makes 'all things 
work together for good to them that love God.' 
Often is providence mysterious and hard to 
unravel. The wicked appear to triumph while 
innocence suffers ; but we must remember that 
there is a time coming, when all these mysteries 
shall be solved, and the righteous Judge will 
vindicate his moral government. Man being a 
responsible agent, is of course pre-eminently 
concerned, to know and do the will of his 
Heavenly Father. This in his state of pristine 
purity was his privilege and delight. To a holy 
being, the duties of prayer and praise would 
seem like fulfilling the promptings of his nature. 
This government of God was exercised in Eden. 
We find therefore that ' when God had created 
man he entered into a covenant of life with him, 
upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding 
him to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and 
evil, upon the pain of death.' " 

"It seemed very ungrateful in Eve, aunt, to 
listen to that subtle serpent, rather than obey 
God." 

2* 



18 WHY AM I 

"Yes!" replied Mrs. Lindsay, "we cannot 
conceive of a probationary state more favourable 
than that in which Adam and Eve were placed. 
Sin was excluded from every avenue but one ; 
and that so plainly marked, so easy of avoidance, 
and so unnecessary to comfort, safety, or suste- 
nance, that no excuse can be made for its infrac- 
tion." 

" And yet," said Herbert, " objectors speak 
of this trial as arbitrary and tyrannical on the 
part of Jehovah ; forgetting that he who gave so 
much had power to restrict as well as to bestow. 
In the answer just quoted, mother, we hear of a 
covenant of life. Do you suppose it is so called 
because eternal life was the stipulation on the 
part of God?" 

" I do. Will you describe the covenant of 
works, my son." 

" The covenant of works, mother, is no 
other than a law, requiring obedience and 
prohibiting disobedience, with a reward to the 
first, and a penalty to the latter. Only sinless 
creatures could be placed under such a cove- 
nant, because their spotless character is such as 
to admit of their justification on the ground of 
their own obedience : had that continued, their 
reward must follow from the conditions entered 
into, and no atonement could be required. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 19 

Thus Adam would have been justified, had he 
continued obedient, and the happiness of his 
whole race would have been insured, including 
the continuance of natural life, consisting in the 
union of soul and body; the continuance of spi- 
ritual life, consisting in the favour of God ; and 
the possession of eternal life in heaven." 

" But, aunt," asked Mabel, " how came it that 
God permitted Adam and Eve to be tempted by 
the serpent? Could he not have ordered things 
otherwise?" 

" Take care, my love, how you encourage a 
spirit of speculation on these subjects. The in- 
troduction of moral evil into the world, is one of 
those depths in which human wisdom is utterly 
confounded. Man was endowed with free will, 
which implies the power of choice for good or 
for evil. When he chose evil, an act in itself 
unimportant, became of the greatest conse- 
quence : involving rebellion against the law- 
giver; renunciation of his authority; and the 
dissolving of that moral dependence on his 
Maker, which is founded on the nature of things, 
and is necessary to maintain the order and hap- 
piness of the universe. We must distinguish 
between things which God permits, and those 
which he approves. Had not some ultimate 
good been the result, we must suppose that a 



20 WHY AM I 

Being of infinite wisdom, and unlimited power, 
would not have allowed his plans to be frustrated 
by any hostile agency whatever. Perhaps there 
was a necessity for a display of Divine justice, 
to establish other orders of beings in their alle- 
giance, and make known his holiness to crea- 
tion's utmost bound. Be this as it may, the 
creature's sin has been the instrumentality in the 
hands of the Creator, by which a new and better 
covenant, even ' the covenant of peace,' has been 
established ; in which a portion of the ruined 
race have been brought again into favour and 
acceptance; while the humiliation and sufferings 
of his own Son, by which the remedial plan has 
been wrought out, prove his spotless purity, and 
jealous rectitude more strongly than if the 
penalty of death, temporal, spiritual, and eternal, 
had been inflicted on the offenders and all their 
posterity. But it is late. We must defer this 
conversation till next Sabbath. 



CHAPTER II. 

In Adam all die. 

The serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety. 

The evening of the Sabbath returned, and the 
trio gathered round the table in Mrs. Lindsay's 
comfortable parlour. That lady commenced the 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 21 

conversation by saying; "Many have been the 
speculations as to the time spent by our progeni- 
tors in the delightful spotalloted to them. Some 
commentators limit their abode there to a single 
day, others extend it to weeks, months, or even 
years. The first opinion cuts short the period 
of holiness to an ephemeral duration; and it 
appears a waste of creative energy to prepare a 
paradise for so limited a stay. No doubt they 
remained there long enough, to enhance, by the 
remembrance of past enjoyment, the evils 
brought on them by their disobedience." 

" Mother, what do you understand by the tree 
of life?" 

"Just what the name imports. A tree which, 
either from its inherent qualities, or by the ap- 
pointment of God, so nourished the body, so fed 
the flame of life, as to interpose a barrier to all 
the assaults of decomposition. That it had a 
symbolical meaning, and perhaps was a sacra- 
mental representation of eternal life, does net 
interfere with the original idea. It is supposed 
from the words used by the Divine Being, Gen. 
iv. 22, that Adam had not partaken previously 
of the tree of life ; but as no prohibition existed, 
there is no reason to assert that he had not eaten 
of its fruit ; and the passage referred to, may 



22 WHY AM I 

apply as well to a continuation, as to the com- 
mencement of this life-giving food." 

"But, mother, do you know that Witsius, in 
his work on the Covenants, reprobates your 
views as an error of Socinus and others ?" 

" It may be so ; but I was early taught in my 
religious career to call no uninspired man, mas- 
ter ; and on this subject, Lowth,in his Commen- 
tary, quotes the names of Ireneus, Chrysostom* 
Theodoret, and especially Gregory Nazianzen, 
as holding the same opinion with myself. Whe- 
ther man had actually tasted of the fruit of this 
tree, or whether it was held up as a reward for 
his obedience, may be a matter of doubt ; but no 
question can arise as to his eating of the other 
tree in the midst of the garden ; thus breaking 
through the only restriction laid on him by his 
Maker, and barring all access to 'the way of the 
tree of life,' till the second Adam, ' by a new 
and living way,' opened the gates of that better 
paradise, where, ' in the midst of the street of it, 
and on either side of the river grows the tree of 
life.' Before we leave this 

c happy rural seat of various view ; 

Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm ? 
Others whose fruit burnished with golden rind 
Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true, 
Tf true, here only, and of delicious taste ; 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 23 

Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks 

Grazing the tender herb, were interposed 

On palmy hillock ; or the flowing lap 

Of some irriguous valley spread her store 

Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose ;' 

let us remark the high honour put on horticul- 
tural occupations. The first man, in his un- 
fallen state was a gardener ; and though we have 
not so delightful a scene of labour, thorns and 
thistles will thwart our plans, and tares spring 
up to choke the crop, still is the employment 
well fitted to elevate the mind, while it invi- 
gorates the body." 

" I thought, dear mother, that you could not 
depart from Eden, without giving an eulogy on 
your favourite pursuit. What think you of the 
name given to the forbidden tree ?" 

" I think my son, the idea is, that by eating 
this fruit, man knew experimentally what good 
he had lost, and what evil he had preferred. 
There is however another sense in which the 
term may be used. Adam's disobedience was 
overruled to make him acquainted, not only with 
sin, the worst of evils; but with that highest 
good to our ruined race, even salvation through 
a Redemer. Certain it is, that in some sense, 
though not in a desirable one, our first parents 
increased their knowledge by the fall. ' Their 



24 WHY AM I 

eyes were opened,' and the holy simplicity and 
childlike innocence of Paradise were lost." 

"Then aunt," said Mabel, "you do not think 
our great ancester was as refined and intellec- 
tual, as Milton represents him. "I do not like 
to have him disparaged, and have all my feel- 
ings of reverence for him destroyed." 

" I am far from wishing to disparage a being, 
formed in the image of his Maker, and made the 
lord of all below. But a moment's reflection 
will show us, that however enlightened by com- 
munications with his Maker, and favoured above 
all his posterity in position, as well as purity, our 
first father was placed in circumstances so 
unlike those of any of his posterity, that much of 
our boasted knowledge would have been worse 
than useless to him. While ' upright' as 
'God made him,' he needed not 'the many 
inventions' that have since then been 'sought 
out.' Now to the agent of this mischief. 
Scripture gives us intimation of a higher order 
of beings who swerved from their allegiance to 
their Creator: thus Jude speaks of 'the angels 
which kept not their first estate;' and Peter - 
says, 'God spared not the angels that sinned;' 
Satan, that is 'the adversary,' also called 'the 
father of lies,' was the tempter who deluded so 
successfully our 'general mother.' The shape 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 25 

taken by this evil spirit, has occasioned much 
discussion among the learned. Dr. Clarke 
makes it out to be that of an ourang outang, 
because of some resemblance to an Arabic word. 
To me, it seems more probable that the foe of 
God and man assumed the appearance of a 
winged fiery serpent, of surpassing brightness, 
like those in IN umbers xxi. 6, 8, there called 
seraphim ; this term is applied also to the 
highest order of angels, Isa. vi. 2, 6, who per- 
haps wore some such form with flaming wings. 
Now, we are told that e Satan himself is trans- 
formed into an angel of light;' if, therefore, he 
was permitted to put on the similitude of one of 
those heavenly messengers, whom Eve was ac- 
customed to behold, we may easily imagine, 
how, dazzled by his splendour, and fascinated by 
his persuasions, she yielded to his solicitations 
'and took of the fruit and did eat.' " 

" Well, you make all possible apology for 
Eve's frailty, mother ; do you think with the 
blind poet that Adam 

e Scrupled not to eat 
Against his better knowledge not deceived, 
But fondly overcome with female charm?" 5 

"Mistake me not, my son. I do not wish 
to excuse, but to account for, the transgres- 
sion of the first woman. Nor do I think so 
3 



26 WHY AM I 

highly of her husband's love, as to suppose thai 
was the sole inducement for his compliance; 
though compelled to admit that 'the woman 
being deceived, was first in the transgression.' 
Most probably the sight of Eve's apparent 
safety, after eating the forbidden fruit, made 
Adam suppose he might do so with impunity 
likewise, or he might have been persuaded by 
the same aspiring hopes of increased acquire- 
ment." 

"And yet, mother, Paul says 'Adam was not 
deceived.' " 

"He does so. But perhaps the idea is, to 
complete the antithesis of Adam's priority of 
creation, and Eve's priority in sin. If he was 
not like her, deluded, he must have sinned pre- 
sumptuously, which only increases his guilt, 
since Eve was not intended for his ruler, but 
only for his helpmeet; and therefore her apos- 
tacy should not have had power to influence 
him. 

c Suffice it for our purpose that the rash act was done. 
Earth trembled from her entrails, as again 
In pangs, and nature gave a second groan, 
Sky lowered, and muttering thunder, some sad drops 
Wept at completing of the mortal sin 
Original.' 

How great was the dismay and remorse of 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 27 

the transgressors, we may discover from the 
sacred narrative. 

" Instead of the former intimate and friendly- 
intercourse with their Creator, they sought to 
hide themselves from his presence when 'they 
heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the 
garden, in the cool of the day. 5 Vain purpose ! 
The offended Deity calls the guilty pair, their 
own words condemn them, and sentence is passed 
alike on them, and on the tempter. Sorrow, and 
subjection to the woman ; for, before this period, 
we have no hint of her inferiority; labour and 
toil to the man, and death to both, including all 
their posterity, is the awful doom, incurred by a 
gratification of appetite, as deceitful as it was 
transitory. But even here mercy was display- 
ed ; the serpent only was cursed ; while a pro- 
mise, obscure indeed, but significant in the high- 
est degree, announced victory to the seed of the 
woman, while foretelling his partial subjection, 
for a time, to the powers of evil. We must sup- 
pose that this intimation of a Saviour to come, 
was connected with the next event narrated, the 
clothing of Adam and Eve with the * coats of 
skins,' stripped from the quivering flesh of 
those animals who had hitherto partaken in the 
immunities of Paradise, but were now to groan 
and be subject to suffering, in common with 



28 WHY AM I 

creation's lord. No doubt their bodies were 
offered in sacrifice, for in the very next chapter 
we are told that 'Abel brought of the firstlings 
of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the 
Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.' 
Thus was the faith of believers before Christ, 
directed to 'the Lamb of God which should take 
away the sin of the world.' Expulsion from 
the garden was then enforced on the offenders ; 
as your author has it, Herbert, 

6 They looking back, all th' eastern coast beheld 
Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, 
Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate 
With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms ; 
Some natural tears they dropt, but wiped them soon, 
The world was all before them, where to choose 
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide.' 

"Not with sentence pronounced, and banish- 
ment inflicted, terminated the ills thus brought 
upon themselves and their posterity, by the first 
parents of our race; 'the misery of that estate 
whereinto man fell,' was aggravated by its ' sin- 
fulness;' and both were the precursors of that 
condemnation which denounces 'indignation 
and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every 
soul of man that doeth evil.' " 

"And yet aunt, there are many who deny 
the doctrine of original sin." 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 29 

"There have been objections to it in all ages, 
because it is sadly repugnant to the pride of the 
human heart ; but Scripture and experience 
alike testify to its truth. We are told that 'the 
sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, con- 
sists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of 
original righteousness, and the corruption of his 
whole nature, commonly called original sin; 
together with all actual transgressions which 
proceed from it.' Here we find that Adam 
being the federal head and representative of the 
whole human race, they, though yet unborn, 
became liable to the punishment pronounced 
against himself, and became guilty through his 
guilt which is imputed to them, or placed to 
their account ; so that they are treated as if they 
had personally broken the covenant. How else 
can we understand the words 'by one man's dis- 
obedience many were made sinners.' 'In Adam 
all die.' ' By one man sin entered into the 
world, and death by sin, and so death passed 
upon all men, for that all have sinned.'" 

"And yet, aunt, it seems hard that all should 
suffer for the fault of one." 

"Consider, on the other hand, my dear, how 
great would have been the benefit, had Adam 
remained steadfast. This is a view of the sub- 
ject we are apt to overlook ; but however disad- 



30 WHY AM I 

vantageously things have terminated, we ought 
always to recollect that the covenant of works 
was a proof of the goodness of God. Its imme- 
diate aim was to insure the happiness of the 
whole race, in a compendious way, by suspend- 
ing it on the obedience of our common progeni- 
tor, to whom the condition prescribed was per- 
fectly easy. The imputation of Adam's sin, 
like that of Christ's righteousness, is one of those 
leading principles in theology which the natural 
heart abhors. The headship of the first parent 
of men is proved by the prevalence of temporal 
death. Even those who are incapable of actual 
sin fall victims to the universal destroyer. As 
Paul says, e Nevertheless death reigned from 
Adam to Moses, even over them that had not 
sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgres- 
sion.' " 

"You mean infants, aunt, do you not? I am 
so anxious to hear what you will tell us about 
them; for one of the school girls said the Cal- 
vinists believed that there were infants in hell, of 
a span long." 

"My love, it is not easy to account for all the. 
harsh unwarrantable things that have been said 
on both sides of the question. I cannot think 
that any of our Church hold the opinion you 
have mentioned; but even if it were so, that 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 31 

would not sanction an hypothesis which savours 
more of a Moloch than of Christ ; and is by no 
means deducible from the language either of the 
Confession of Faith or of Presbyterians them- 
selves. The book does indeed speak of ' elect 
infants,' but says nothing that in the least ap- 
proaches to the sentiment you have quoted. 
Some persons think that the state of infants in 
another world has not been made known to us in 
the Scriptures ; but, to my mind, there is abund- 
ant reason to suppose that the righteousness of 
Christ imputed to them, will blot out the taint of 
their birth-sin, and admit them to that 'kingdom 
of heaven' to which he has declared them to be- 
long." 

" That is the same idea, aunt, as is expressed 
in the lines you wrote in Herbert's Bible, when 
speaking of your babes that died. 

c The stain of earth that each inherits 
Counts not against their Saviour's merits^ 
In that bright world above.' " 

"It is, my dear, and especially have believers 
ground of hope and consolation for their infants 
taken from them by death ; even as David 
thought with regard to his child, 'I shall go 
to him, but he shall not return to me.' The 
slander you speak of, however, has been so often 



32 WHY AM I 

refuted that it is now almost obsolete, and it is 
seldom uttered where there is any possibility of 
its being contradicted. But to proceed. Ano- 
ther passage which may be quoted in proof of 
the imputation of Adam's guilt to his posterity, 
and their consequent obnoxiousness to punish- 
ment, is the following : 'And you hath he quick- 
ened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 
wherein in time past ye walked according to 
the course of this world, according to the prince 
of the power of the air, the spirit that now 
worketh in the children of disobedience : among 
whom also we all had our conversation in times 
past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the de- 
sires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by 
nature children of wrath even as others. David, 
in the fifty-first Psalm, while acknowledging 
an aggravated actual offence, traces up his guilt 
to original corruption, in the fifth verse. Too 
soon was Adam, by the death of his righteous 
son, made to realize the difference between his 
own formation, 'in the image of God,' and the 
state in which his descendants were born, 'in 
his own likeness after his image' of defilement 
and of sin ; and in the sixth chapter of Genesis, 
we read that 'the wickedness of man was great 
in the earth, and that every imagination of the 
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.' 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 33 

Indeed so ' corrupt was the earth before God,' 
and so ' filled with violence,' that the whole 
population, except eight persons, were swept 
away by the flood as by a swift destruction. 
Since that overwhelming dispensation, the over- 
throw of Sodom and Gomorrah ; the plagues of 
Egypt ; the judgments incurred by the Israelites 
in the wilderness; and, above all, the calamities 
inflicted on the Jews for their rejection and cru- 
cifixion of the Saviour, may give us some idea 
that ' it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of 
the living God' in the way of punishment. It is 
not here, however, that sin will find its justly 
merited doom. The present life is one of suffer- 
ance, where 'God maketh his sun to shine on 
the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on 
the just and on the unjust ;' it is reserved to the 
day of final retribution, to manifest the righteous- 
ness of God in condemning the impenitent ; when 
he will 'execute judgment upon all that are un- 
godly among them, of all their ungodly deeds 
which they have ungodly committed, and of 
their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have 
spoken against him.' The terrors of that awful 
day, the human heart has no power to compre- 
hend ; nor can they be realized by any, save 
those who shall experience the wrath of Jehovah. 
May we, dear children, belong to a different 



34 WHY AM I 

class ! even to those who shall receive the wel- 
come invitation ; 'Come ye blessed of my father, 
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the 
foundation of the w r orld.' " 



CHAPTER III. 

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth 
his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to re- 
deem them that were under the law, that we might re- 
ceive the adoption of sons. 

A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

"Dear aunt," said Mabel on the next Sabbath 
evening, " things were left last Sabbath in a very 
gloomy condition, as regards poor fallen human 
nature. Surely you have better tidings for us 
to-night?" 

"I have, my dear, emphatically good tidings 
to communicate, even the advent of Him whose 
birth was the signal for the announcement of 
' peace on earth, and good will to men.' Her- 
bert, what says the answ r er to the twentieth 
question ?" 

"It says, mother, that f God, having out of 
his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected . 
some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant 
of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin 
and misery, and bring them into a state of salva- 
tion by a Redeemer.' " 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 35 

" The mighty doctrines contained in the first 
part of this answer, will be considered hereafter ; 
at present I refer you to the truth with which 
it concludes — salvation by a Redeemer. This 
precious fact was, as we have seen, obscurely 
though definitely referred to in the sentence pro- 
nounced against the serpent ; while the language 
of Eve on the birth of Cain, seems to intimate 
that she considered him to be the one who was 
to accomplish the sacred oracle. The practice 
of sacrifice too, so early begun, and so signally 
approved by God, was doubtless intended to 
direct men's faith to 'the Lamb of God,' which 
shoujfl take away the sin of the world. Abra- 
ham, the friend of God, received the following 
promise, after his offering up Isaac on Mount 
Moriah. 'By myself have I sworn, saith the 
Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and 
hast not withheld thy son, thine only son : that 
in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying 
I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the hea- 
ven, and as the sand which is upon the sea 
shore ; and thy seed shall possess the gate of 
his enemies ; and in thy seed shall the nations 
of the earth be blessed.' This promise is ap- 
plied to Christ, to whom only it can refer, in 
many places in the New Testament, which you 
may consult at your leisure, Luke i. 72; Acts 



36 WHY AM I 

iii. 25; Gal. iii. 8 — 16. Jacob, when blessing 
the tribes of Israel, declared that 'the sceptre 
shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from 
between his feet till Shiloh come, and unto him 
shall the gathering of the people be.' What is 
meant by the term Shiloh, commentators are not 
agreed; some thinking that it signifies 'sent,' 
others 6 peaceful,' or 'prosperous,' and a third 
class supposing it to refer to the miraculous cir- 
cumstances of the birth of Christ. All writers, 
however, whether Jewish or Christian, allow 
that it specially designates the Messiah, and re- 
stricts his lineage to the tribe of Judah. Hence 
the difficulty found by the former to reconcile 
this prophecy with the present state of their na- 
tion, so long without a ruler or a country ; 
though, as they pretend, Shiloh has not yet ap- 
peared." 

"But, aunt, when our Saviour came, Judea 
was ruled by the Romans, under whom the Jews 
were in subjection. How then can it be said 
that the sceptre had not departed from Judah V 9 

" While Judea was governed by her own 
princes, as was the case till the Babylonish cap-, 
tivity, the kingly power was exercised by the 
tribe of Judah, which the word Schebet — here 
translated sceptre — is supposed to refer to. 
After that time they were under the sway of 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 37 

inferior rulers, such as Zorobabel, the Seleu- 
cidae, and the Maccabees, characterized by the 
term lawgiver ; till they were enrolled in the 
Roman empire, at the taxation made when 
Christ was born in Bethlehem. Enough, how- 
ever, of power was continued to the Jews by the 
Roman policy, to make the rejection and con- 
demnation of the Saviour their own act, though 
the punishment of death was not within their 
prerogative. Balaam spoke of Christ under the 
figure of 'a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre' that 
'shall rise out of Israel;' and Moses foretold the 
prophetic office of the Redeemer when he said, 
' The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a 
prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, 
like unto me.' David also, was told from God, 
by Nathan the prophet, 'I will set up thy seed 
after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, 
and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build 
a house for my name, and I will establish the 
throne of his kingdom for ever,' &c. Here, 
though there is much that refers to Solomon, 
there are many passages that can only be ap- 
plied to his great anti-type ; to whom his name, 
(signifying peaceable) wisdom, and prosperity, 
are all so many appropriate features of resem- 
blance. This is especially applied to Christ by 
the angel, Luke i. 32, 33." 
4 



38 WHY AM I 

"In the Psalms, too, mother, how many there 
are that, though they may primarily relate to 
Solomon and his espousals to Pharaoh's daugh- 
ter, have their secondary and greater accomplish- 
ment in the extent of the Messiah's kingdom, 
and the growth of his church!" 

"Yes! my son, the seventy-second, forty-fifth, 
one hundred and tenth, second, and sixty-eighth, 
all bear record of our Saviour's triumphs. But 
there is another class, which speak of his suffer- 
ings, humiliation, and death, in terms equally 
unmistakeable. Among these are the twenty- 
second, thirty-first, sixty-ninth, thirty-fifth, and 
seventy-first. When we. come to Isaiah who 
has been called the fifth Evangelist, the light of 
prophecy shines more brightly. He announces 
Christ in the following passage of unequalled 
sublimity. 'For unto us a child is born, unto 
us a son is given ; and the government shall be 
upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called 
Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The 
Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 
Of the increase of his government and peace 
there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, 
and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to estab- 
lish it with judgment and with justice from 
henceforth even for ever.' Here Mabel, for 
your instruction, let me remark, that when it is 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 39 

said his name shall be called, it does not mean 
that he should actually bear these names in real 
life, but that he should deserve them, and that 
they would describe his character. Wonderful — 
this was applied to himself by the angel- Jehovah 
who appeared to Manoah, as it is in the margin, 
'secret,' in the text. And perhaps it refers to 
that 'mystery of godliness,' by which 'the 
word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." 
Counsellor — intimate with all his Father's coun- 
sels and decrees — 'set up' as is told us in the 
beautiful description of wisdom, 'from everlast- 
ing, from the beginning or even the earth was,' 
or as John has it, ' The same was in the begin- 
ning with God.' The mighty God — the pro- 
phetic announcement rises as it proceeds, and 
declares the promised child to be 'the Mighty 
God.' This title was amply verified by him to 
whom 'all power in heaven and in earth' was 
given. The Psalmist, in the forty-fifth psalm, 
addresses one who is 'most mighty,' and as this, 
in the second chapter of Hebrews, is applied to 
'the Son,' we may well infer the propriety of 
his claim as advanced by the beloved disciple in 
Patmos, ' I am Alpha and Omega, the begin- 
ning and the ending, saith the Lord, which 
is, and which was, and which is to come, 
the Almighty.' The Everlasting Father — this 



40 WHY AM I 

either signifies a father (or possessor) of eternity 
that is an eternal being, and such is our 
Redeemer, 6 Jesus Christ, the same yester- 
day, to-day, and for ever;' or the author and 
bestower of eternal life, in which sense it 
equally belongs to him who is ' the author of 
eternal salvation.' The Prince of Peace — This 
title is so applicable to him ' who is our peace,' 
and who 'made peace by the blood of his 
cross,' that I shall detain you no longer with 
this constellation of prophecy ; but go on." 

"Dear mother," interrupted Herbert, "will 
you pass over the prophecy of Immanuel in the 
seventh chapter of Isaiah, fourteenth verse ?" 

"If I had that intention," said Mrs. Lindsay, 
"it was not because I deemed it irrelevant to 
our purpose, but because our time is too short 
to enter into every passage of Scripture, on this 
subject ; but as I know the text in question is a 
favourite of yours, we will spend a moment or 
two in explaining it. That the Lord Jesus is 
meant, by the child who was to be called 
Immanuel, is evident to my mind, from the fact 
of this very prophecy being quoted by Matthew-, 
and applied to Christ. In fact this connexion 
between the two passages is so evident, that 
many of those who did not believe in the mira- 
culous birth of the Saviour, have rejected the 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 41 

first three chapters of Matthew as spurious. 
Whoever the term ' child' referred to, in the 
primary sense, whether Hezekiah, or Shear- 
Jashub, who was present at the interview with 
Ahaz, or some other child, real or symbolic, 
matters little ; in its ultimate signification, we 
must believe that it belongs alone to him, who 
was 'God manifest in the flesh,' and in whom 
' dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead 
bodily.' But the prophecy to which I particu- 
larly wish to call your attention Mabel, as afford- 
ing the most striking contrast to the triumphant 
notes of the one we so lately considered, and 
as giving the most complete proof of the inspira- 
tion of holy writ, is contained in the fifty-third 
chapter of Isaiah. This we might almost sup- 
pose a narrative of the past, rather than a pre- 
diction of the future ; and to show you its parallel- 
ism with the New Testament, I will read you a 
portion of each as they fit in together. 

Who hath believed our He was in the world, and 

report, and to whom is the the world was made by him, 

arm of the Lord revealed] and the world knew him 

For he shall grow up before not. 

him as a tender plant, and H/e came unto his own, 

as a root out of a dry and his own received him 

ground: he hath no form not. 

nor comeliness; and when Have any of the rulers 

we shall see him there is no or of the Pharisees believed 

beauty that we should de- on him] We have no 

sire him. king but Cesar. 

4* 



42 



WHY AM I 



He is despised and reject- 
ed of men ; a man of sor- 
rows and acquainted with 
grief: and we hid as it were 
our faces from him ; he was 
despised and we esteemed 
him not. 

Surely he hath borne our 
griefs, and carried our sor- 
rows; yet we did esteem 
him stricken, smitten of God 
and afflicted. 

But he was wounded for 
our transgressions, he was 
bruised for our iniquities: 
the chastisement of our 
peace was upon him; and 
with his stripes we are heal- 
ed. 

All we, like sheep have 
gone astray ; we have turn- 
ed every one his own way ; 
and the Lord hath laid on 
him the iniquity of us all. 

He was oppressed, and he 
was afflicted, yet he opened 
not his mouth ; he is brought 
as a lamb to the slaugh- 
ter, and as a sheep before 
her shearers is dumb, so he 
opened not his mouth. 

From custody, and from 
sentence,. he is taken away: 
but who of his generation 
attendeth to it 1* for he was 
cut off out of the land of the 
living, for the transgression 
of my people was he stricken. 

* Dr. J. Pye Smith's Paraphrase. 



Away with this man and 
release unto us Barrabas. 

Jesus wept. 

Then all the disciples for- 
sook him and fled. 

Is not this the carpenter's 
son! 

He began to be sorrow- 
ful and very heavy. 

My God, my God, why 
hast thou forsaken me 1 

They crucified him. 

This is my body, broken 
for you. 

Having made peace 
through the blood of his 
cross. 

And they shall scourge 
him. 

All the disciples forsook 
him and fled. 

All ye shall be offended 
because of me. Who his 
own self bare our sins, in 
his own body on the tree. 

Who when he was re- 
viled, reviled not again, 
when he suffered, he threat- 
ened not. 

And he answered him to 
never a word. 

Then delivered he him 
therefore unto them to be 
crucified. 

Ye shall be scattered every 
man to his own. He bow- 
ed the head and gave up 
the ghost. For he hath 
made him to be sin for us 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 



43 



A grave is assigned him 
with the wicked, but his 
tomb is a rich man's, be- 
cause he had done no vio- 
lence, neither was any de- 
ceit in his mouth. 

Yet it pleased the Lord 
to bruise him, he hath put 
him to grief: when thou 
shalt make his soul an offer- 
ing for sin, he shall see his 
seed, he shall prolong his 
days, and the pleasure of the 
Lord shall prosper in his 
hand. 

He shall see of the travel 
of his soul and shall be sa- 
tisfied ; by his knowledge 
shall my righteous servant 
justify many, for he shall 
bear their iniquities. 

Therefore will I divide 
him a portion with the great, 
and he shall divide the spoil 
with the strong : because he 
hath poured out his soul 
unto death, and he was 
numbered with the trans- 
gressors : and he bare the 
sin of many and made in- 
tercession for the transgres- 



who knew no sin, the male- 
factors, one on the right 
hand and the other on the 
left. 

And when Joseph had 
taken the body he laid it in 
his own new tomb. 

If it be possible, let this 
cup pass from me. And I, 
if I be lifted up from the 
earth will draw all men unto 
me. 

Which he wrought in 
Christ when he raised him 
from the dead and set him 
at his own right hand in the 
heavenly places. 

This is life eternal, that 
they might know thee the 
only true God, and Jesus 
Christ whom thou hast sent. 

And having spoiled prin- 
cipalities and powers, he 
made a show of openly tri- 
umphing over them in it. 

If thou be Christ save 
thyself and us. 

He is able also to save 
them to the uttermost that 
come unto God by him, see- 
ing he ever liveth to make 
intercession for them. 



"Thank you, dear aunt, how wonderful it 
seems that so many things should be foretold, so 
long before they happened. I wonder how the 
Jews can be so blind as not to see that all these 
predictions were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth." 



44 WHY AM I 

"It can only be accounted for, my dear, by 
that blindness of mind which was one of the 
punishments of their unbelief. We have been 
so long detained by Isaiah, that we must just 
glance at the other prophets." 

" But, dear mother, w T ill you not devote a 
word to the text in which Christ is called the 
Lord our Righteousness?'' 

"Certainly, my son. Jeremiah utters this re- 
markable prophecy; 'Behold the days come, 
saith the Lord, (Jehovah) that I will raise unto 
David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign 
and prosper, and shall execute judgment and 
justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall 
be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely, and this 
is his name whereby he shall be called, Jehovah 
our Righteousness.' I before told you, that 
being called by a name, meant possessing the 
qualities enumerated, and that Christ did so in 
the most eminent degree, cannot be doubted by 
any who are familiar with his life and atone- 
ment ; but the Apostle settles the point when 
he says, ' But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who 
of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteous-, 
ness, and sanctification, and redemption ; that 
according as it is written, He that glorieth, let 
him glory in the Lord. This name, Jehovah, is 
the incommunicable title of the Deity, and being 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 45 

applied to the expected Messiah, settles the 
question of his Divinity at once. Daniel thus 
speaks: 'I saw in the night visions, and behold, 
one like the Son of man came with the clouds of 
heaven, and came to the ancient of days, and 
they brought him near before him. And there 
was given him dominion, and glory, and a king- 
dom, that all people, nations, and languages, 
should serve him: his dominion is an everlast- 
ing dominion which shall not pass away, and his 
kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.' 
In the ninth chapter and twenty-fourth verse, 
we are told that 'Messiah shall be cut off, but 
not for himself:' indeed the whole prophecy is 
so clear, and received so evident an accomplish- 
ment in Christ, that I know not how any one in 
their senses can remain in doubt on the subject. 
Micah points out the very place of the Re- 
deemer's birth. 'But thou Bethlehem Ephra- 
tah, though thou be little among the thousands 
of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth 
unto me, that is to be ruler in Israel ; whose 
goings forth have been from of old, from ever- 
lasting.' And Zachariah says, 'Thus speaketh 
the Lord of hosts, saying; Behold, the man 
whose name is The Branch ; and he shall grow 
up out of his place, and he shall build the tem- 
ple of the Lord, even he shall build the temple 



46 WHY AM I 

of the Lord ; and he shall bear the glory, and 
shall sit and rule upon his throne : and he shall 
be a priest upon his throne ; and the counsel of 
peace shall be between them both.' This same 
prophet, like Isaiah, after the exaltation foretold 
in the last mentioned text, changes his hand, and 
strikes the mournful notes that speak of betrayal, 
desertion, and death. 'If ye think good, give 
me my price, and if not, forbear. So they 
weighed for my price, thirty pieces of silver.' 
'And they shall look upon me whom they have 
pierced, and they shall mourn.' 'Awake, O 
sword against my shepherd, and against the man 
that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts : smite 
the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered.' 
Not only was our Lord's coming thus minutely 
and literally predicted, but that of his forerunner, 
John the Baptist, was also the subject of pro- 
phecy. The conclusion of Malachi's message 
runs thus, 'Behold, I will send you Elijah the 
prophet before the coming of the great and ter- 
rible day of the Lord.' But w T e must defer our 
consideration of the Saviour's person, work, and 
reward, till another evening. May what has- 
been said excite you, my dear Mabel, to examine 
for yourself those Scriptures which he has him- 
self declared to testify of him." 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 47 



CHAPTER IV. 

And Thomas answered and said unto him, my Lord and 

my God. 
Who is over all, God blessed for ever. 

" What is the answer, Mabel, to the question, 
who is the Redeemer of God's elect?" 

"The answer is, aunt, as follows: 'The only 
Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus 
Christ, who being the eternal Son of God, be- 
came man, and so was, and continueth to be, 
God and man, in two distinct natures, and one 
person for ever." 

" You have, my children, often heard me ex- 
tol the Shorter Catechism for its comprehensive- 
ness, its precision, and its fulness. This ques- 
tion is an example of its excellence; every word 
seems well chosen, and either expresses a truth, 
or contradicts a heresy. The only Redeemer — 
Herbert, what is the meaning of this word." 

" It signifies, mother, a kinsman, or near rela- 
tion, to whom the redemption of captives, or of 
alienated estates belonged by custom, before the 
giving of the law r . The act of redeeming was 
one in which something was bought again after 
it had been sold, by paying back the price to the 
first purchaser, Lev. xxv. 25; xxvii. 20. To 
deliver and bring out of bondage with a strong 



48 WHY AM I 

hand, and without any ransom, such as were 
kept prisoners by their enemies, Deut. vii. 5; 
xxxii. 6 ; and thirdly, to deliver sinners from the 
tyranny of Satan, from sin, death, and hell, by 
the purchase of Christ's blood, and the power of 
his grace. Thus is Christ both the ransomer 
and ransom, Luke i. 68 ; Isaiah xliv. 6 ; 
1 Peter i. 18, 19." 

"A further investigation of the subject will 
show how well this title applies to the Saviour. 
The only Redeemer — 'There is none other 
name under heaven given among men, whereby 
we must be saved.' 'For by one offering he 
hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 
The Lord Jesus Christ — Herbert, tell us the 
meaning of the word, translated Lord" 

" I am glad mother, that you take up this title 
which is so significant as applied in the Scrip- 
tures. Kvpioq is a Greek word, equivalent to the 
Hebrew Adonai, a name often applied to God 
the Father, and still more frequently to the Son. 
' It means ruler, disposer, or basis and support. 

" Yes, in the one hundred and tenth Psalm, 
'Jehovah said unto my Adonai ; sit thou at my 
right hand, until I make thine enemies thy foot- 
stool.' Christ's applying this Psalm to himself, 
recorded by three Evangelists, is proof that he 
claimed this name of dignity, which is also used 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 49 

in Isaiah, vi. 1, ' I saw the Adonai sitting upon 
a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled 
the temple. Above it stood the seraphims — and 
one cried unto another and said, Holy, holy, ho]y, 
is Jehovah Sabaoth. Then said I, woe is me — 
for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah 
Sabaoth.' This passage is applied to our Sa- 
viour by John, when he said, ' These things said 
Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of 
Him.' Can we then wonder that our Immanuel 
is said to be the ' Lord of all,' or that the beloved 
disciple, when speaking of adverse kingdoms, 
declares that ' the Lamb shall overcome them, 
for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings.' Jesus, 
— Mabel, you know the meaning of that word?" 

" Yes, aunt, it is the same as Joshua, and 
means a Saviour." 

" It does, my love. Joshua was an eminent 
type of Him, who came ' to save his people 
from their sins.' This name seems to belong 
especially to Christ's human nature, and iden- 
tifies him with us, as being one, who can ' be 
touched with the feeling of our infirmities,' and 
1 was in all points tempted like as we are, yet 
without sin.' Herbert, tell us what Christ sig- 
nifies." 

" It is the same with Messiah., mother, and 
5 



50 WHY AM I 

means anointed, ' from the unction used in con- 
secrating the high priest.' " 

"This term is first used prophetically in the 
second psalm, applied to the Saviour, Acts iv. 25. 
We also read in the forty-fifth psalm, ' Thy 
throne, O God, is for ever and ever : the sceptre 
of thy kingdom is a right sceptre : therefore,* O 
God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of 
gladness above thy fellows ;' which Paul in the 
Epistle to the Hebrews refers expressly to the 
Son. ' Who being the eternal Son.' When we 
approach a subject so sacred, and to our finite 
capacity so unsearchable, as the mode of subsist- 
ence in which the different persons of the God- 
head are revealed to us, it becomes us to feel 
that we are standing upon holy ground. As far 
as the paucity of human language will permit, 
we find expressions in Holy Writ, denoting the 
most intimate relation between the Father and 
the Son. ' In the beginning was the Word, and 
the Word was with God, and the Word was 
God.' 'And now, O Father, glorify thou with 
me, with thine own self, with the glory which I 
had with thee, before the world was,' ' for thou 
lovedst me before the foundations of the world.' 
Our Lord is called ' the only begotten Son of God,' 
and 'his only Son,' indicating a similarity of na- 

* See margin- 



A PRESBYTERIA N / 5J 

ture, and an identity of essence, which elevates 
him far above all other beings who are called sons 
of God in a subordinate sense. The idea that this 
title is official, and merely belongs to his media- 
torial work, cannot be correct ; else why w T as he 
spoken of as the Son, so long before his advent 
in the flesh. He is called the eternal Son— be- 
cause ( his goings forth have been from of old, 
from everlasting ;' or, as the margin has it', ' the 
days of eternity.' Again, the Holy Spirit is on 
all hands allowed to be eternal, ' the eternal 
Spirit,' Heb. ix. 14. But this same Spirit is de- 
clared to be the Spirit of the Son. 'God hath 
sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.' 
In the second psalm it is said, ' Thou art my Son., 
this day have I begotten thee.' ' This day,' as 
has been well remarked,* 'cannot be understood 
as properly denoting any one of man's days 
either in David's time or afterwards. It can 
only be understood of God's day, the day of eter- 
nity; which w r ith God is all one day, without any 
yesterday or to-morrow.' ' This being so highly 
elevated and so richly endowed, (Heb. chap, i.) 
became man, by taking to himself a true body and 
a reasonable soul, as the next question has it.' 
What heresy is this intended to expose, Herbert ?" 
u That of the Docetse, mother, who held that 

* Rev. Adam Gib, of Edinburgh. 



52 WHY AM I 

our Saviour was not a man in reality, but in ap- 
pearance only. Arius and others affirmed that 
he had a body, but not a soul, and that the Logos 
or his superior nature, supplied its place." 

" The Unitarians, on the contrary, believe him 
a man but nothing more, and allege in proof of 
their tenets, all those passages which speak of 
his proper humanity ; forgetting or disregarding 
the fact, that the advocates of his divinity hold 
also, that he is as really 'the Son of David,' 
as ' his Lord.' And so was, and continues to 
be, God and man, in two distinct natures and one 
person for ever. It is this union of the divine 
and human natures, which fits our Saviour for 
his office work as the author of our salvation. 
As man, he was holy, harmless, and undefiled, 
and separate from sinners ; as God, he was 
mighty to save and strong to deliver. It was 
necessary that the Mediator should be man. 
1st. That he might be related to those in behalf 
of whom he was to fulfil that office ; that he 
might be our ' kinsman,' and we as it were be 
rendered one with him, Eph. v. 20. 2d. That 
reconciliation might be made for sin in the same 
nature which had sinned, Heb. ii. 14. 3d. It 
was necessary the Mediator should be man, that 
he might both suffer and die, Heb. ix. 11 — 16. 
4th. It was fit that the Mediator should be man. 



A PRESBYTERIAN! 53 

that he might sympathize with his people under 
all their trials, Heb. ii. 17, 18. 5th. It was re- 
quisite the Mediator should be a man, holy and 
unblemished by sin, that he might be qualified to 
offer himself without spot to God ; take away 
sin by the sacrifice of himself, and be an advo- 
cate for them with the Father, Heb. iv. 14 — 16. 
1st. It was needful that the Mediator should be 
God, that he might sustain and keep the human 
nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of 
God, and the power of death, Acts ii. 24 : Rom. 
i. 4. 2d. It was needful the Mediator should 
be God, to give worth and efficacy to his suffer- 
ings, obedience, and intercession, Acts xx. 28 : 
Heb. ix. 14. 3d. It was requisite that the Me- 
diator should be God, because in the economy of 
redemption, all divine gifts and graces were to 
be treasured up in him, and by him through the 
agency of the Holy Spirit, to be dispensed to 
his people, of w T hom he was to be the ever-pre- 
sent friend, final judge, and prevalent intercessor, 
Matt, xxviii. 20: Eph. i. 20—23: 2 Cor. v. 10. 
So much has this important subject engrossed our 
time, that we shall have little space to devote to 
the work of the Saviour. This however, is more 
familiar to you than the arguments relative to 
his person. This, work is divided in the Cate- 
chism into three parts. Mabel, what are they?" 
5* 



54 WHY AM I 

" The office of a prophet, of a priest, and of a 
king, aunt." 

" You are right. A prophet is not only one 
who foretells future events, but also teaches the 
will of God. Hence the name of Word or Logos, 
as applied to our Lord, by which is meant a 
communication, even as by language our thoughts 
are transmitted to others. This title was used 
in the proem to John's Gospel, where in language 
of a fulness and majesty peculiar to this Apos- 
tle, is set forth the eternity of the Son, and his 
co-operation with the Father in the act of crea- 
tion. Previous to his appearance in the flesh, 
our Lord often manifested himself to the church 
in the character of an angel, called the Angel of 
the Lord, or as it might be more properly trans- 
lated, the angel Jehovah. Thus Abraham saw 
his day and rejoiced. Thus Jacob wrestled with 
' a man,' or as it is said in Hosea, ' the angel,' 
'and he called the name of the place Peniel ; for 
I have seen God face to face, and my life is pre- 
served.' The same glorious person was ' the 
angel which appeared to Moses in the bush,' 
and ' the angel which spake to him in the 
mount Sinai ;' for in speaking of these very trans- 
actions we are told, (1 Cor. chap, x.) that these 
fathers ' drank of that spiritual Rock that followed 
them, and that Rock was Christ,' and that those 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 55 

who sinned, 'tempted' Christ, who is elsewhere 
called the Rock of Ages. When the three 
youths were cast into the burning fiery furnace, 
a fourth was seen with them, loose, walking in 
the midst of the fire, and his form was 'like the 
Son of God.' But the prophetical office was 
more fully accomplished by the Saviour during 
his abode on earth. By his personal preaching, 
by the communication of his Spirit, and by the 
inspired revelation of his will, collected in the 
Scriptures, as the rule of faith and practice ; he 
has declared to the Church in all ages, the will 
of God for its salvation. This character of our 
Lord is recognized by many who disavow him 
as priest and king. But so dependent are these 
offices on each other, that if divided, they are 
nugatory and incomplete. What use is a teacher 
to those whose consciences are hardened in sin? 
How can we submit to his authority, till the 
enmity of the human heart be removed? Or 
how, could we avail ourselves of the remedy of 
the Gospel, ' except some man guide us ?' We 
will now glance at the priestly character of the 
Redeemer. One essential requisite for this part 
of his work, was his holiness. By means of this 
quality so pre-eminently possessed by him who 
'is our righteousness,' an obedience was rendered 
to the divine law, which magnified it and made 



50 WHY AM I 

it honourable, and thereby when imputed to his 
followers, gave them a ground of justification in 
the sight of God. . Mabel, tell us what the 
Catechism says on this subject ?" 

"Aunt, Christ executes the office of a priest, 
in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to 
satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, 
and in making continual intercession for us." 

" Here is announced the great truth of the 
atonement, abundantly declared in Scripture ; 
prefigured in all the types and sacrifices of the 
Old Testament economy ; and verified by the 
experience of saints in all periods of the Church : 
for before the coming of the Mediator, the faith 
of his people was fixed upon a Saviour who was 
to come ; even, as after his appearance, it rested 
on his death. The vicarious nature of Christ's 
sufferings is frequently spoken of in Scripture. 
' Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself.' 
• Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the 
sin of the world.' 'Christ was once offered to 
bear the sins of many. 9 Being justified freely 
by his grace through the redemption that is in 
Christ Jesus ; whom God hath set forth to be a 
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare 
his righteousness for the remission of sins that 
are past, through the forbearance of God ; to de- 
clare, I say, at thig time his righteousness, that 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 57 

he might be just, and the justifier of him that 
believeth in Jesus. The justice of God was ap- 
proved in the punishment of sin, endured by our 
surety, in our stead. There is no sacrifice of 
his holiness, that essential attribute of his nature, 
but in the cross, all his perfections harmonize 
and meet. ' We are reconciled to God by the 
death of his Son;' 'the hand-writing of ordinan- 
ces that was against us, is blotted out, and we 
are delivered from the law, (i. e. in its condem- 
natory power,) that being dead wherein we were 
held ; that we should serve in newness of the 
spirit.' ' But Christ intercedes for his people.' 
We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus 
Christ the righteous.' The seventeenth chapter 
of John is a specimen of this part of the Saviour's 
work, which is still going on in heaven ; where 
Christ is entered, ' now to appear in the presence 
of God for us.'" 

"How can the Romanists," exclaimed Her- 
bert, " be so blinded, as to think that their masses 
or relics, or saints, can in any measure supersede 
the necessity of Christ's intercession in behalf of 
his people. To us, ' there is one Mediator be- 
tween God and man,' who, by his being ' once 
offered,' bore the sins of many ; but their mum- 
meries come in place of the Saviour, and hide 
him from their view." 



58 WHY AM I 

" I have more patience with the people than 
with their teachers, my son. These blind guides 
have made use of the inventions you spoke of, to 
fill their own pockets, and keep the multitude in 
subjection to their authority. Nor does this dispo- 
sition pertain to them alone. There seems to be 
a growing desire to elevate the sacraments, and 
of course the clergy who dispense them, to an 
eminence never intended by their founder. But 
we have yet to consider Christ as the king of his 
people. During his stay on earth, he was divested 
of his essential glory. He had ' made himself 
of no reputation, and took upon him the form of 
a servant ;' in pursuance of this state of humi- 
liation we find that our Lord spoke little of 
himself, but told his disciples that ( the Spirit of 
truth should glorify him,' 'for he shall receive 
of mine, and show it unto you.' But when he 
had finished the work which his Father had 
given him to do; his resurrection and ascension, 
witnessed the acceptance of his painful sacrifice, 
and attested the efficacy of his death. The 
descent of the Holy Spirit, still more powerfully 
corroborated the truth of his declarations ; and 
by leading the minds of his followers 'into all 
truth,' made them better acquainted with his 
nature and character, than while he was per- 
sonally present with them. His kingly office 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 59 

therefore includes the reward, which, as Medi- 
ator, he was to receive ; by which our nature 
being still united to his divinity, receives an ex- 
altation beyond the highest conception of created 
minds to understand. * Wherefore God has 
highly exalted him,' — the man Christ Jesus — 
' and given him a name which is above every 
name ; that at the name of Jesus every knee 
should bow, of things in heaven, and in earth, 
and things under the earth ; and that every 
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
to the glory of God the Father.' To the glory of 
God the Father — mark this my children — there 
are no jarring notes when ' men honour the Son 
even as they honour the Father; ' nay, the anthem 
which in heaven declares, • worthy is the Lamb 
which is slain, to receive power, and riches, and 
strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing,' 
concludes with conjoining in sacred ascription, 
the name of ' Him who sitteth upon the throne, 5 
'and that of the Lamb, for ever and ever.' " 

"What do you think, mother, of that passage 
in first Corinthians, where Christ is said to de- 
liver up the kingdom to God, even the Father ?" 

"I think, Herbert, that it is the Mediatorial 
kingdom of Christ ; this, when the dispensation 
to which it belongs has past, will cease to be re- 
quired, and then the Godhead, such is the idea 



60 WHY AM I 

conveyed by the term God in the 28th verse, 
as it seems to me, will in its own essential glory, 
'be all in all.' We must remember that the 
necessity for a Redeemer and Sanctifier, arose 
from man's sinfulness ; when, therefore, the 
present dispensation is over, those who are 
admitted to heaven may be made so holy as 
no longer to need their days-man as a medium 
of access. But I need not try to elucidate 
a passage which has puzzled the learned in 
all periods. We may be sure, as I before 
mentioned, that there can be no danger of con- 
fusion or misrule between Him, who l thought 
it no robbery to be equal with God ,' and ' the 
Father' who ' loveth the Son, and hath put all 
things into his hand.' But we must defer our 
subject till another Sabbath evening." 



CHAPTER V. 

Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and fore- 
knowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands, 
have. crucified and slain. 

According to his own purpose and grace, which was given 
us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 

" Mabel," said Mrs. Lindsay, as her little 
party were collected for their Sabbath evening 
conversation, "What are the decrees of God?" 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 61 

" The Catechism, dear aunt, says 'The decrees 
of God are his eternal purpose, according to the 
counsel of his will, whereby for his own glory, 
he hath foreordained whatsoever cometh to 
pass.' " 

u This article of our Church, my dear children, 
is one which has appeared particularly obnoxious 
to those who hold a contrary opinion. Our faith 
has been called bigotry, gloom, and uncharitable- 
ness, merely because we vindicate what we be- 
lieve to be a doctrine of Scripture ; and the 
alternative is either to 'be every where spoken 
against,' or to shrink from the avowal of a scrip- 
tural truth, whose base is deep as eternity, and 
whose consequences include the everlasting wel- 
fare of 'a great multitude, that no man can num- 
ber.' I concede, that on this point, great indis- 
cretion has been used. ' Secret things belong 
to God,' and finite minds are lost in the great- 
ness of the subject, when they attempt to pene- 
trate these depths, or mount these heights of 
knowledge. Little then does it become us to 
assume a tone of superiority, if we have been 
led to see the truth as revealed in the Scriptures, 
on the doctrine in question ; or to denounce 
those who reject it as enemies of Christ. Young 
Christians are often much perplexed on this 
ground ; to such, my advice is, make sure your 
6 



g2 WHY AM I 

interest in the plan of redemption, by coming to 
the Saviour, and acting faith on him, and then 
you may rest satisfied that your ■ calling and 
election' has been verified ' before the world 
was.' In my own experience, this doctrine was 
the last that I received ; and nothing but the 
force of Scripture proof could have done away 
with my early prejudice against it. I say this 
for your benefit, Mabel, that you may not feel 
discouraged, should you find these abstruse parts 
of the system above your reach. You know 
Bunyan speaks 'of the nuts that break the 
children's teeth,' and well does the simile apply, 
for to those who have strength to reach it, this 
truth is most cheering and consoling to the 
mind." 

"You know, aunt, Milton makes it an em- 
ployment of his lost spirits to sit apart 

6 In thoughts more elevate and reason high 
Of providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate, 
Fixed fate, free-will, foreknowledge absolute.' " 

" He does so, and a better authority than Mil- 
ton says, that ' the devils believe and tremble.' 
No doubt they delight in blinding — so far as 
permitted — men's minds to a truth so evident 
to themselves. But to our subject. ' No man,' 
a learned author tells us, ' will deny that there 
are divine decrees, who believes that God is an 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 63 

intelligent being, and considers what this char- 
acter implies.' When men plan and design for 
the future, they are perpetually baffled by events 
over which they have no control ; this cannot be 
with the Deity, ' who knows the end from' the 
beginning,' and to whom all things are present, 
in one omniscient glance. The foreknowledge 
of God seems essential to his very being; and if 
he knows all that will come to pass, can we for 
a moment believe that all this goodly scene of 
things has been created at random, without 
direction or aim in its founder? It will certainly 
be admitted that if God knows what is to happen, 
he can direct as well as foresee, ' for who hath 
resisted his will.' But his directing being the 
acting of infinite power, must possess an effici- 
ency which nothing can withstand. Thus it 
appears a necessary part of an all-wise, all- 
powerful agent, to determine and select those 
measures, which would best comport with the 
promotion of his own holy purposes. He must 
foreordain before he could foresee ; and we find 
the Apostle asserts this, in that golden chain of 
divine truth, where each link is indissolubly 
connected with the one preceding: 'for whom 
he did foreknow, he did also predestinate — more- 
over, whom he did predestinate, them he also 
called; and whom he called, them he also justi- 



g4 WHY AM I 

fied ; and whom he justified, them he also glori- 
fied.' And this in fact is the strong ground on 
which Calvinists stand, that the truths they 
maintain are found in Scripture. How to re- 
concile the foreordination of God, with account- 
ability in the creature, is what I shall not pre- 
tend to do. We find both doctrines in the word 
of God, and therefore we are bound to believe 
them; and the difficulty lies, not in the Calvin- 
istic system, but in the imperfection of our facul- 
ties. The Arminians rail at the dark and 
gloomy tenets of our faith, but their conditional 
decrees do not meet the difficulty ; nor when 
they assert that Christ died for all men, do they 
solve the question — Why then are not all men 
saved? To place the decision of this question 
upon the creature's will, is indeed to make 
'man stronger than God.' " 

" Aunt, is decree a scriptural term ?" 
" It is not found in the New Testament at all, 
in the sense of the question ; nor does it in the 
Old Testament always bear the same meaning. 
As if to rectify by scriptural terms, the use of 
one more technical, the framers of our Catechism 
have been careful to explain the word you speak 
of, by texts from the Bible, taken almost ver- 
batim. Thus the Apostle — ' in whom also we 
have obtained an inheritance, being predesti- 



A PRKSBYTERIAN? (J5 

nated according to the purpose of him, who 
worketh all things after the counsel of his own 
will;' and in the same chapter the date of this 
purpose is given, ' according as he hath chosen 
us in him before the foundation of the world.' 
'Known unto God are all his works, from the 
beginning of the world.' 'My counsel,' says 
the divine speaker, ' shall stand, and I will do 
all my pleasure.' Peter says that ' Christ was 
foreordained before the foundation of the world :' 
and in the first gospel sermon preached to the 
assembled multitude, this Apostle with the aflatus 
of the Holy Spirit fresh on his heart, and the 
cloven tongue of flame yet resting on his brow, 
feared not to promulgate the doctrine of ■ the 
determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,' 
as exemplified in the death of that Saviour, 
whom the Jews had ' taken, and by wicked 
hands had crucified and slain.' Here you see 
the very event which was foreordained to happen 
by God, is still viewed as entailing guilt and 
condemnation on those who were its perpe- 
trators ; according to my previous remark, 
that the predestination of the Creator does not 
interfere with the creature's responsibility. To 
the same purpose our Lord declares, ' the Son of 
Man goeth, as it is written of him ; but wo unto 
that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed ! 
6* 



gg WHY AM I 

it had been good for that man if he had not been 
born.' The decrees of God are, in our Confes- 
sion of Faith, defended from the imputations that 
God is the author of sin ; that violence is offered 
to the will of the creature, or that the contin- 
gency of second causes is taken away. Herbert, 
what is the name given to those decrees which 
relate to God's intelligent creatures ?" 

" Predestination, mother. This title is appli- 
cable indeed, to all the purposes of God, which 
determine beforehand what is to come to pass ; 
but it is usually limited to those which refer to 
the spiritual and eternal state of man." 

" Right, my son. Predestination includes the 
decrees of election. Election is the choice which 
God in the exercise of sovereign grace, has made 
of certain individuals, to enjoy salvation by 
Jesus Christ. This the Scriptures teach us in 
those passages which speak of the elect, as 
1 chosen in Christ,' 6 chosen to salvation,' ' pre- 
destinated to the adoption of sons,' and 'to be 
conformed to the image of God's Son,' as ' elect 
according to the foreknowledge of God,' as 
6 vessels of mercy whom he hath before prepared- 
unto glory.' These persons were ' chosen from 
all eternity.' 'We are bound,' says. Paul, 'to 
give thanks always to God for you, brethren., 
beloved of the Lord, because God bath from the 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 67 

beginning, chosen you to salvation, through 
sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the 
truth.' And again, ' He hath saved us, and 
called us with an holy calling, not according to 
our works, but according to his own purpose 
and grace, which were given us in Christ Jesus 
before the world began.' These passages prove 
also that predestination does not proceed upon 
the ground of their foreseen qualifications.' Not 
by works of righteousness which we have done, 
but according to his mercy hath he saved us.' 
Even so at this present time also, there is a rem- 
nant according to the election of grace : and if 
by grace, then is it no more of works ; otherwise 
grace is no more grace." 

" But dear aunt, I thought faith and holiness 
were always united in the doctrine of election, 
as in this passage, ' according as he hath chosen 
us in him before the foundation of the world, 
that we should be holy and without blame be- 
fore him in love.' " 

" Far be it from me, my dear, to sever what 
God hath joined together. I only mean that 
faith and holiness, so far from being the cause 
of our election — as asserted by the advocates of 
conditional decrees — are the effect of it. It is 
the sovereign grace of God, which makes his 
children to differ from the 'children of wrath,' 



68 WHY AM I 

and to his name be the praise ! The purpose of 
God respecting his elect is immutable. This is 
denied by those who think that a man may be a 
child of God to-day, and fall from grace to-morrow ; 
but a tenet so unconsolatory, is not founded on 
the Bible. There we read, that 'the foundation 
of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, the 
Lord knoweth them that are his.' And our 
Saviour says to his Father, concerning his dis- 
ciples, 'Thine they were, and thou gavest them 
me ; those thou gavest me I have kept, and 
none of them is lost ; but the son of perdition is 
lost, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.' The 
mediation of Christ was the expedient by which 
God's purposes were executed. Election being 
the purpose of God, cannot be known till mani- 
fested in its accomplishment. The Book of Life 
is a sealed book, which no mortal can open, and 
the only way by which we can ascertain our 
acceptance, is ' to give all diligence to make 
our calling and election sure ;' that is, to discover 
that we have been converted to God, and thus 
our election will be manifested to ourselves." 
"Aunt, what is meant by reprobation?" 
"It is a term, my dear, which is generally 
understood to mean the purpose of God to leave 
the wicked to the consequences of their sins, by 
not affording them the grace necessary to salva- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? (39 

tion. The Deity does not reprobate men by 
making them wicked, but by not granting them 
the benefits of his gratuitous mercy. 

" We shall better recognize the true position, in 
which man stands with his Maker, if we remem- 
ber his absolute sovereignty, which admits no 
question or dispute with his creatures ' for who 
hath resisted his will !' his boundless might 
which no finite power can repel, ' he doeth his 
will in the army of heaven, and among the 
inhabitants of the earth ; and none can stay his 
hand, or say unto him, What doest thou V his 
unsearchable wisdom which is so far beyond our 
ken ; for who can ' by searching find out God V 
who can 'find out the Almighty unto perfec- 
tion V and his unshrinking rectitude which 
knows not the shadow of turning, ' Shall not the 
Judge of all the earth do right?' A considera- 
tion of these perfections should make us feel 
that we have no right to scan the Almighty, or 
accuse him of cruelty, if in the language of the 
Confession of Faith — The rest of mankind, 
God was pleased, according to the unsearchable 
counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth 
or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the 
glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, 
to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonour and 
wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious 



70 WHY AM I 

justice.' Such is the view the Apostle takes of 
this awful subject. 'Nay, but O man, who art 
thou that repliest against God ? Shall the thing 
formed say unto him that formed it, Why hast 
thou made me thus? What, if God, willing to 
show his wrath, and to make his power known, 
endured with much long-suffering the vessels of 
wrath fitted to destruction ; and that he might 
make known the riches of his glory on the ves- 
sels of mercy, which he had afore prepared 
unto glory?'" 

"I think, mother, that prophecy is another 
proof of the truth of predestination. Some 
events must have been certain, or they would 
not have been predicted by the Spirit of truth." 

"Assuredly, my son. We may remark also 
that the judgment of the great day will not pro- 
ceed on the grounds of God's decrees, but on 
those of ' the things done in the body.' 'Secret 
things belong to the Lord our God,' only those 
which are revealed, to us and to our children.' 
We ought therefore not to let the dread of being 
predestined to evil, interfere with seeking the 
salvation of our souls. In this world, while we 
act as freely as if there were no decree, our 
deeds are as infallibly foreknown as if there 
were no liberty." 

" Have not many persons, aunt, been almost 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 71 

reduced to despair by fears that they were not 
amongst the number of the elect?" 

" This doctrine, my dear, has doubtless caused 
great alarm to many. Sometimes perhaps, from 
the injudicious ways of handling it by its friends ; 
or from the artifices of that ' father of lies,' 
who loves to pervert the truth. But to those 
who dread God's displeasure on account of sin, 
and therefore fear that they will receive con- 
demnation, there is this encouragement; that 
they whom God ' gave' over to a reprobate 
mind, are expressly said to be 'filled with all 
unrighteousness,' whereas the characters you 
speak of, are greatly and chiefly distressed at 
their departures from holiness, and long earnestly 
to keep God's precepts diligently. It is objected 
to predestination, that it supersedes the use of 
means ; but the predestination for which we 
contend, is a purpose that embraces means and 
ends, fixes the means as surely as the ends ; 
and so connects them, that without the former, 
the latter cannot take place. Look at the natural 
world, and it will furnish an illustration of my 
meaning. Should the farmer loiter at home, 
and neither plough nor sow, saying, c if I am to 
have a crop, I shall have one, whether I take 
steps for it or not ;' we should at once see his 
folly. True, all his labour would be vain, did 



72 WHY AM I 

not the Lord ' give us rain from heaven, and 
fruitful seasons ;' but the most genial influences 
would fail, if the means necessary to success 
were not employed. So is it in the spiritual 
world. The real discouragement is the indis- 
position of the heart, which seeks to make ex- 
cuses for its own remissness in duty. Were 
God unwilling that men should 'strive to enter 
in at the strait gate ;' had he discountenanced 
our efforts, had he established no means of 
grace, or had those means when perseveringly 
used, failed in receiving his blessing, there 
would indeed be cause for discouragement. But 
the reverse of aJl this is the case — he invites all 
to come to the Redeemer, whom he has ' exalted 
with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, 
for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness 
of sins ;" he says in his word, Vask and it shall 
be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock 
and it shall be opened unto you.' Nor will this 
offer prove a mere quibble, or evasion ; it is the 
truth of God, who cannot lie ; and • whosoever 
cometh unto him, he will in no wise cast out.' 
In the first chapter of the Epistle to the Ephe- 
sians, the Apostle enumerates the ' spiritual 
blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Accord- 
ing as he hath chosen us in him before the 
foundation of the world, that we should be holy 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 73 

and without blame before him in love. Having 
predestinated us unto the adoption of children 
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good 
pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory 
of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted 
in the beloved.' Here we see the importance of 
personal holiness in those who aspire to 'the 
adoption of children ;' and this lesson is incul- 
cated in almost every passage which we find 
upon the doctrine in question. - For we are his 
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good 
works, which God hath before ordained, that 
we should walk in them,' ' to present you holy 
and unblameable, and unreproveable in his 
sight,' ' for whom he did foreknow, he also did 
predestinate, to be conformed to the image of his 
Son.' There is one consideration which we 
must ever keep in view, while dwelling on these 
amazing and unexplorable subjects ; and that is 
one which is taught us in the Shorter Catechism, 
' his own glory.' This is what the Deity intends 
to promote in his dealings with his creatures. 
Even the wicked are compelled to show forth 
his praises in their condemnation, for we are 
told that ' the Lord hath made all things for 
himself, yea even the wicked for the day of evil, 9 
and that 'the wrath of man shall praise him,' 
while i the remainder of wrath he will restrain.' 

7 



74 WHY AM I 

How shall we conclude this part of our subject 
better, than in the words of one who ever acqui- 
esced in the Divine will — ' Even so, Father, for 
so it seemed good in thy sight.'" 



CHAPTER VI. 

And the Spirit of God, moved upon the face of the waters 
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

" The next point which will occupy our atten- 
tion," said Mrs. Lindsay, as the little group col- 
lected as usual for their evening employment, " is 
the application of the salvation wrought out by 
Jesus Christ for his people. For you will per- 
ceive, Mabel, that man in his state of enmity to 
God, neither feels his danger, nor appreciates 
the remedy. What is the answer to the ques- 
tion, i how are we made partakers of the re- 
demption purchased by Christ V " 

"We are made partakers, aunt, of the re- 
demption purchased by Christ, by the effectual 
application of it to us by his Holy Spirit." 

" Here we are told that the Spirit of God, is 
the agent by whom we come to partake in the 
blessings of the new covenant ; let us therefore 
inquire into his nature and properties. It is not 
with the Holy Ghost as it was with the person 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 75 

of the Saviour. His divinity, in the present day- 
is unquestioned, but his personality has been 
attacked ; and he has been degraded into a mere 
attribute of the Father. This supposition is 
alike contrary to Scripture and common sense. 
Our Lord told his disciples, that * all manner of 
sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men ; 
but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall 
not be forgiven.' If an attribute merely be in- 
tended, this is a strange expenditure of language ; 
but if the Holy Ghost be a divine person, it 
would seem probable that if any sin is incapable 
of being forgiven, it would be the one ascribing 
such wonderful miracles as that mentioned in 
the context, to the power of Beelzebub. Again, 
Peter said to Ananias, ' why hath Satan filled 
thy heart to lie unto the Holy Ghost V ' thou 
hast not lied unto men,' not to an attribute, 
1 but unto God.' Surely the fearful punishment 
of this offender, and his participating partner in 
crime, shows that the Power whom they had 
offended was as mighty to punish then, as when 
he was employed to ' garnish the heavens,' or 
to brood upon the waters of primeval chaos. 
Besides, in the Bible, we find the qualities and 
actions of a person are ascribed to the Spirit ; 
thus he is said to strive — to be sent forth — to 
know — to speak — to guide — to lead — to help — 



76 WHY AM I 

to testify — to reveal — to search — to prophecy — 
to intercede — to give gifts — to work in the 
mind of man — to work miracles — to sanctify — to 
quicken or give life — to be vexed — to be pro- 
voked — to be resisted and to be grieved. Can 
it be of a mere attribute that these things are 
declared ? But if language has any force, this 
point is settled by the appearance of the Holy 
Ghost, in ' a bodily shape like a dove,' upon 
Jesus at his baptism by John, while a voice 
from heaven saying, ' This is my beloved son, in 
whom I am well pleased,' attested the solem- 
nity of the scene. Is it possible that at this im- 
portant juncture in the history of our Saviour, 
a mere attribute should be sent in a guise so like 
personality, with no object that we can discover, 
but to puzzle and mislead the minds of men, as 
to its place in the economy of salvation. 

"Then, if we consult John's Gospel, chapters 
fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth, we shall 
find the Redeemer cheering the minds of his 
disciples in the prospect of his death, with the 
coming of 'the Comforter,' as the Holy Spirit 
is called. He even tells them that it is expe-? 
dient for them that he should go away, for if he 
went not away 'the Comforter would not 
come.' Can we believe that the Saviour would 
have recourse to so pitiful an evasion as to pro- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 77 

pose a mere quality or attribute to console his 
sorrowing followers for his ignominious death? 
The Holy Ghost thus promised, came on the 
day of Pentecost, when suddenly there was 'a 
a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty 
wind, and it filled all the house where they 
were sitting;' and his mighty influences must 
have been apparent when the disciples 'began 
to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave 
them utterance,' even to those who saw not 
1 the cloven tongues like as of fire that sat upon 
them.' The transformation of the poor timid 
band who fled in their Master's extremity, to 
the heroic company, that with manly tone 
brought home the crime of Jesus' crucifixion to 
the hearts of the conscience-stricken multitude ; 
and still more the fruits of their preaching, con- 
sisting of three thousand souls converted to God, 
bear witness to the efficiency of the agent, who 
thus asserted his might. But an argument still 
stronger than any I have adduced, seems to me 
to be found in the baptismal formula. This 
instruction was given to his disciples by our 
Lord, after his resurrection, and just before his 
ascension ; and is alike important, from its 
being the initiatory rite of the new dispensation, 
and from the fact that it contains the last com- 
mand of him 'to whom all power was given,' 
7* 



78 WHY AM I 

to his believing disciples. Now no man will 
deny that the Father and the Son are distinct 
persons — even those who doubt the Saviour's 
divinity, grant this, what confusion then would 
it not cause to add to them, and join equally 
with them, as to all the concerns of our faith 
and obedience, the Holy Spirit ; if he be not a 
divine person even as they?" 

"Besides, mother, you know we are baptized 
into His name. How can this be without we are 
to own him equally with the Father, and the Son, 
in all our divine worship, faith, and obe- 
dience?" 

"Indeed, my son, I see no other sense in 
which the injunction can be understood, than as 
claiming for the 'Eternal Spirit' a full participa- 
tion in all the love, homage, and subjection 
which the Father and the Son have a right to 
demand. Else why include him in that name, 
which alone belongs to the Godhead. And now 
my children this seems a proper place to say 
something on the subject of God's mode of exist- 
ence in three persons, yet one essence. Mabel, 
what says the Catechism ?" 

"In answer to the question, How many per- 
sons are there in the Godhead, aunt, it tells us 
that There are three persons in the Godhead, the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 79 

three are one God, the same in substance, equal 
in power and glory." 

" We seem to have been ascending step by- 
step, my children, till we have reached the 
highest point to which poor human intellect can 
rise. May we be enabled to speak and think on 
this mighty theme as becomes those who in 
comparison with their Maker 'are counted to 
him less than nothing, and vanity.' It is 
evident that all we know on the subject in hand, 
must be by revelation solely, and if the argu- 
ments for the divinity of the Son and the person- 
ality of the Spirit have been conclusive, they of 
themselves establish the doctrine of the Trinity." 

" Aunt, is that word found in the Bible?" 

"It is not, my dear. Herbert will tell us its 
meaning, and when it was first used." 

" This word, mother, is from the Latin, and 
signifies three in one. Some writers think it 
was first used in a synod which met at Alexan- 
dria in the year 317 ; but others assign to it an 
earlier date, and ascribe it to Theophilus of 
Antioch, who flourished about the year 162." 

"This expression, as well as the truth it con- 
veys, has been the occasion of many irreverential 
sneers and much idle opposition. The leveling 
principle is so strong in man, that he would fain 
bring down the most sacred arcana of divine 



80 WHY AM I 

knowledge, to the measure of his own finite 
capacity, and because he cannot comprehend 
how it is that the Godhead subsists in three per- 
sons and yet is ' one Jehovah,' would reject the 
doctrine as contradictory or impossible. To the 
Scriptures we must look for light on this point, 
and if here revealed, let us hold it fast; even 
though accounted among the foolish, the weak, 
the base, and the despised. Herbert tell your 
cousin about the plural Hebrew names of the 
Deity used in the Old Testament," 

" I will, mother. The fact of the name of 
God Elohim, /literally the Gods) being construed 
with a singular verb has been considered a 
strong proof of the trinity, nor is this idiom con- 
fined to this word only. 'Thy Makers is thy 
husband.' * Remember thy Creators in the 
days of thy youth.' " 

" This form of expression, my children, is used 
in the first chapter of Genesis,, first verse ; and it 
receives a striking explanation from the fact, that 
the act of creation is ascribed to each of the other 
persons of the Godhead, in connexion with the 
Father. ' God, who at sundry times and in divers 
manners spake in times past unto the fathers by 
the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto 
us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of 
all things, by whom also he made the worlds;' 



A PRESBYTERIAN? §1 

*for by him were all things created that are in 
heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisi- 
ble.' ' Thou sendest forth thy Spirit and they 
are created.' 'The Spirit of God made me, and 
the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.' 
And in Psalm xxxiii. 6, we have this remark- 
able announcement: 'By the word of Jehovah 
were the heavens made ; and all the host of them, 
by the breath of his mouth,' — which the preceding 
text shows to be equivalent to the Spirit of God. 
On this hypothesis, the words used at the crea- 
tion of man, 'Let us make man in our image 
after our likeness;' and those after the fall, 
' Behold man is become as one of us,' are 
easily explained ; as also the language employed 
in reference to Babel, 'Go to, let us go down.' 
When antediluvian wickedness was at its height, 
the Deity is represented as saying, 'my Spirit 
shall not always strive with man ;' and Isaiah 
declares that the children of Israel, ' vexed his 
holy Spirit,' while Nehemiah, in his account 
of the fasting of the returned exiles, confesses, 
' yet many years didst thou forbear them, and 
testifiedst against them by thy Spirit, in the pro- 
phets.' But Isaiah contains a passage which 
gives us an account of the three persons of the 
Godhead, distinctly mentioned. 'Come ye near 
unto me, hear ye this ; I have not spoken in 



82 WHY AM I 

secret from the beginning; from the time that it 
was then am I ; and now the Lord God and his 
Spirit hath sent me.' Here it is evident that the 
speaker is divine, and the resemblance to the 
description of Wisdom, (Prov. viii. 17,) is most 
striking : besides the sent of God we know to 
be Christ, who came from his Father, and was 
anointed to his prophetical office by the Holy- 
Spirit. 'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon 
me, because the Lord hath anointed me.' Again, 
the Father, Son and Spirit, are named in the 
following passage ; ' when the enemy shall come 
in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up 
a Standard against him. And the Redeemer 
shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from 
transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.' It is 
also said, 'for the Lord said, Surely they are my 
people — in all their affliction he was afflicted, 
and the Angel of his presence saved them. But 
they rebelled and vexed his Holy Spirit.' Here 
the name Lord or Jehovah, seems to refer to the 
Father — the Angel of his presence we have else- 
where seen, is the Son — and the Holy Spirit is 
represented as being vexed at the conduct of 
the Israelites. But it is in the New Testament 
that this doctrine is more clearly revealed." 

"Yes, aunt, you know at the baptism of our 
Saviour, when the Holy Ghost appeared like a 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 83 

dove, there was a voice from heaven saying, 
1 This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well 
pleased.' Was not this a wonderful manifes- 
tation of the Three Persons in the Godhead ?" 

" It was indeed, my dear, and has additional 
weight given it by the directions given by our 
Lord in regard to baptism to his disciples, where 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and cf 
the Holy Ghost — not names — is that in which 
the ordinance is to be administered. The apos- 
tolic blessing is couched in similar terms : ' The 
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of 
God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, 
be with you all, Amen.' Nor are these the 
only instances in which the Father, Son and 
Spirit are associated together. ' Through him 
(Christ,) we both have access by one Spirit to 
the Father.' ; There is one body and one Spirit, 
one Lord, (in the New Testament this title is pecu- 
liarly given to the Son,) one God and Father of 
all.' 'How much more shall the blood of Christ, 
who through the eternal Spirit offered himselt 
without spot to God V ' Elect according to the 
foreknowledge of God the Father, through sancti- 
fication of the Spirit, with obedience and sprink- 
ling of the blood of Jesus Christ.' " 

" You do not mention, my dear mother, the 



84 WHY AM I 

famous text, 1 John v. 7, ' There are three that 
bear record in heaven.' " 

"I have not Herbert, nor am I prepared to do 
justice to a subject on which so much learning 
and research have been expended — I mean the 
authenticity of this passage. It is perhaps, more 
in your line to consider the pros and cons, by 
which the argument on both sides is sustained. 
For our present purpose, a few remarks must 
suffice. Whether the verse in question was 
expunged by the Arians, omitted by negligent 
transcribers, or interpolated by the orthodox, are 
questions which it seems difficult to decide ; and 
in the present state of the external evidence on 
this point, though by no means conceding that 
fresh light from the many uncollated manuscripts 
may not change the aspect of the case, it must 
be owned, that numbers are contrary to its 
authenticity. The internal evidence however, 
is quite the reverse. I do not speak of the gram- 
matical structure of the original Greek ; nor of 
the doctrine of the Greek article, so ably illus- 
trrted by Bishop Middleton ; but of the passage 
as compared with other Scripture declarations, 
let us examine it for a moment. In heaven, are 
three that bear witness." 

"Thank you, aunt, for your transposing the 
sentence ; for before, I had an idea that the bearing 



A PRESBYTERIAN? g5 

record was transacted in heaven, and it puzzled 
me sadly." 

"That does not seem the meaning of the pas- 
sage at all ; but rather that heaven was the abode 
of the first witnesses, as earth is the scene of the 
second train mentioned in the eighth verse. No 
one can doubt that God the Father is in heaven, 
who recalls the prayer first taught at his mother's 
knee : ■ the Spirit of truth which proceedeth 
from the Father' must be there also ; and of 
' the Son of man,' even when his bodily form 
was on earth, he himself said, ' which is in 
heaven.' So as to their bearing record to Christ's 
being the Messiah — the Father bare record by 
audible voices, by the miracles wrought by 
Christ, (John xi. 41,) and by his resurrection 
from the dead. The Son bare record to the 
same truth by appearing to Stephen, and Saul 
of Tarsus, but chiefly by fulfilling his promise 
of the miraculous descent of the Holy Ghost. 
And the Spirit bare record by the prophetic an- 
nouncements of Simeon and Anna, by his appear- 
ance at Christ's baptism, and by his Pentecostal 
illumination of the Apostles at Jerusalem. That 
these three are one — not only in consent, but in 
nature, must be owned by those who believe our 
Saviour's declaration, ' I and the Father are one.' 
' The man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of 
8 



86 WHY AM I 

Hosts.' 'The Father loveth the Son, and show- 
eth him all things that himself doeth/ 'All 
things that the Father hath are mine/ ' That 
they all may be one ; as thou Father art in me, 
and I in thee/ That the Spirit was united to 
the Father and the Son is also told us. ' But 
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom 
the Father shall send in my name, he shall teach 
you all things, and bring all things to your re- 
membrance, whatsoever I have taught you.'" 
One more passage shall conclude this evening's 
exercise, which I shall premise by saying, that 
* the seven spirits' spoken of by John in Apo- 
calyptic vision, is no doubt a Hebraism, to denote 
the Holy Spirit ; seven being a number of great 
significance, and symbolic meaning. ' Grace 
and peace from him which is, and which was, and 
which is to come, and from the seven spirits, 
which are before the throne, and from Jesus 
Christ who is the faithful witness, and the first 
begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings 
of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and 
washed us from our sins in his own blood, and 
hath made us kings and priests unto God and 
his Father, to him be glory and dominion for 
ever and ever ! Amen/ " 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 87 



CHAPTER VII. 

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but 
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of 
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. 

Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom 
of God. 

" Do you know aunt," said Mabel, as she 
seated herself in her favourite corner, on the 
ensuing Sabbath evening, "that these conver- 
sations make me feel solemn through the week, 
and when any foolish thoughts rise in my mind, 
they seem so inappropriate, that I turn from 
them with disgust." 

" I am glad, my love, to hear that the exhibition 
of divine truth, even weak and unworthy of its 
subject as it is, has such an effect on your mind. 
May their sentiments be abiding. We are now 
to consider the work of the Spirit in regenerating 
the heart, and renewing the mind of the sinner. 
Mabel, how doth the Spirit apply to us the 
redemption purchased by Christ ?" 

"The Spirit, aunt, applieth to us the redemp- 
tion purchased by Christ, by working faith in 
us, and thereby uniting us to Christ, in our 
effectual calling." 

"We must remember the depraved state of 
mankind by nature, before we can appreciate 
the work effected by Divine grace. ' Having 



88 WHY AM I 

the understanding darkened, being alienated 
from the life of God, through the ignorance that 
is in them, because of the blindness of their 
heart,' says the apostle, describing the Gentiles, 
and he goes on : ' Are we better than they 1 
No, in no wise : for we have before proved both 
Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.' 
From this lamentable condition, to a state of 
acceptance and favour with God, a change both 
relative and real is required. Redemption must 
be applied, and that by the Holy Spirit. Let us 
first examine what is the calling spoken of in 
the answer to this question. By divines, there 
is a distinction made .between the external and 
the inward or effectual calling. The first, is 
that spoken of by our Lord, ■ for many be called, 
but few chosen.' The calls of the gospel are 
universal, wherever it is preached : — ' Unto you, 
O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of 
men.' ' The Spirit and the bride say, come. 
And let him that heareth say, come. And let 
him that is athirst come ; and whosoever will, 
let him take the water of life freely.' These 
calls of mercy, though made with faithfulness, 
and reiterated again and again, are too often dis- 
regarded. Sinners turn a deaf ear to all the per- 
suasions and warnings of the ministers of Christ, 
and will not come to him that they might have 



A PRESBYTERIAN? g9 

Life.' But effectual calling is always invincible, 
because the energy exerted is that of the Spirit. 
Herbert give us a definition of the term." 

"'Effectual calling, mother, is that work by 
which those who are chosen by God, and redeem- 
ed by Christ, are sweetly invited, and actually 
brought from a state of sin, to a state of com- 
munion with God in Christ, both externally and 
internally.' There is an objection made to the 
word invincible, as applied to the grace of God, 
on the ground that it excludes the liberty of the 
will ; of this you are well aware." 

"I am, my son; but neither you nor I would 
be willing to surrender this truth, because man 
impugns it. The difficulty made, originates in 
a misapprehension of the mode of operation. 
1 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy 
power,' as the hundred and tenth Psalm declares. 
The mind is enlightened, the will renewed, and 
the subject of this gracious work after being con- 
victed of sin, is persuaded and enabled to em- 
brace Jesus Christ, freely offered in the gospel." 

"Aunt, how am I to distinguish between con- 
version and regeneration ? Are they both the 
same?" 

"Not exactly, my dear, though they are 
always found in the experience of the Christian. 
Regeneration is a change effected by Divine 



90 WHY AM I 

grace, in the state of the soul ; the supernatural 
renovation of its faculties ; the infusion of a prin- 
ciple of spiritual life. Conversion is the turning 
of the heart to God, and is expressed by our 
seeking the Lord, our coming to him, our for- 
saking our evil ways, and returning to God. It 
obviously implies the exercise of repentance and 
faith, the love of God, and the choice of his ser- 
vice. Regeneration constitutes the sinner a new 
creature ; it is called a new birth, and is in fact 
a spiritual change, the transformation of the soul 
into the image of God. But this change, though 
real, is not always apparent. As at the natural 
birth, some children are more vigorous, and pos- 
sess more of the actings of life, so is it in regene- 
ration. Hence often are Christians unable to fix 
the time when they were 'made free from the 
law of sin and death ;' while in others, the tran- 
sition is so marked, that they can exclaim with 
confidence, ' One thing I know, that whereas I 
was blind, now I see.' " 

" I think it must be so pleasant, aunt, to be 
able to mark the time of one's change so defi- 
nitely." 

" We are told, Mabel, that ' there are diversities 
of operations,' but it is the same God which 
worketh all in all ; and we find an almost end- 
less variety in the process by which the vital 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 91 

union is effected. Some, to keep up our Lord's 
metaphor of ' the wind that bloweth where it 
listeth,' are borne down by the fierce blasts of 
conviction, the horror of hell, and the vivid sense 
of the Divine holiness, as a consuming fire to the 
sinner. Others are led by the gentle breezes 
and sweet influences of the Paraclete to that 
Saviour, 'whose blood cleanseth from all in- 
iquity.' But whatever be the mode of the 
Spirit's work, we have an infallible test given 
us by Christ, by which our interest in him, and 
union to him, may be tested and ascertained. 
' By their fruits ye shall know them.' These 
are thus enumerated by the Apostle. 'But the 
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suf- 
fering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, 
temperance ;' who sums up all with this forcible 
declaration, 'If we live in the Spirit, let us also 
walk in the Spirit.' As if he had said, ' If we 
profess to have the spiritual life of a believer, let 
us show the actings of it by our holy conduct, 
and the possession of the Christian graces before 
mentioned.' On the other hand, if we assume 
that we have been regenerated, because we have 
partaken of rites or ceremonies, however signi- 
ficant, we make as great a mistake, as if we 
brought the choicest viands to an inanimate 
corpse, and called it a living being." 



92 WHY AM I 

" What would the advocates of baptismal re- 
generation think of your comparison, mother ?" 

"Quite as highly, my son, as I think of their 
misapprehension of the ordinance in question. 
This opinion substitutes an outward visible sign 
for the inward spiritual change, and hence gives 
a false security which has the most pernicious 
effects. Simon Magus had been baptized, yet 
was he pronounced to have ' neither part nor lot 
in this matter,' and to be ' in the gall of bitterness 
and bond of iniquity;' and if the life and conver- 
sation are those of a worldling, all pretensions 
arising merely from external observances, are 
futile and vain. Thus our Confession of Faith 
declares, 'although it be a great sin to contemn 
or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation 
are not so inseparately annexed unto it, as that 
no person can be regenerated or saved without 
it, or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly 
regenerated.' " 

" But aunt, does not our Lord tell Nicodemus, 
6 Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God V ' 

" He does so, and we will therefore inquire 
into his meaning. At the first and third repeti- 
tion of this strongly asseverated truth, the Sa- 
viour does not mention water at all ; and when 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 93 

he conjoins it with the Spirit, we must re- 
member how often this metaphor is used to 
express the influences of the Holy Ghost. 
Especially in the Old Testament this figure 
occurs. God, speaking by the mouth of Isaiah, 
says, 'I will pour water upon him that is 
thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will 
pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing 
upon thine offspring;' and by Ezekiel, also tells 
us, 'Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, 
and ye shall be clean. And I will put my Spirit 
within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.' 
"As I understand the Saviour's declaration, it 
means, that as baptism is absolutely necessary 
to our admission to the visible church, so regene- 
ration only will secure our participation in his 
invisible kingdom. Because, although baptism 
is a symbol of this affusion of the Spirit, yet bap- 
tism neither ensures nor proves regeneration. 
Where we are told, ' He that believeth and is 
baptized, shall be saved,' it is added, 'but he 
that believeth not shall be damned:' plainly 
showing that, however important in its place, 
baptism is not essential to our salvation. Besides, 
how can water baptism signify regeneration, 
when adults in the Scriptures are required to 
believe, antecedently to their receiving this rite? 



94 WHY AM I 

As in the case of Cornelius and 'his kinsmen, 
and near friends,' when Peter asks, ' Can any 
man forbid water that these should not be bap- 
tized, which have received the Holy Ghost as 
well as we?' " 

" Surely Paul would not have thanked God, 
that he had baptized none of the Corinthians, 
but Crispus and Gaius, if the ordinance were 
the infallible and inseparable proof of their being 
6 renewed in the spirit of their minds."' 

" But, mother, you know it is asserted, that 
regeneration may actually be conveyed to the 
souls of the baptized, and yet its influence be 
lost, by their falling from grace, or because they 
have not been confirmed by a bishop." 

"Take care, Herbert, lest your cousin should 
suppose these objections are your real senti- 
ments. We both believe in the perseverance of 
the saints as a precious security against apostacy, 
in those who have known the grace of God, and 
had it shed abroad in their hearts. As to con- 
firmation by a Diocesan, it is nowhere incul- 
cated in the Scriptures, as necessary to the con- 
tinuance of mankind in holiness ; nor as an ordi- 
nance of the Christian Church in any sense." 

" Dear mother, you know I only start difficul- 
ties that I may hear your explanation of them, 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 95 

and I think Mabel is not likely to turn Puseyite 
on our hands; at least while she attaches so 
much importance to your arguments. It seems 
very evident, that Paul in saying, ' for Christ 
sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel,' 
means, not to undervalue baptism, but to declare 
the supreme importance of preaching the gospel, 
as that exhibition of divine truth which Christ 
declared shall make free and sanctify his people. 
Thus James — ' Of his own will begat he us 
with the Word of truth ;' and Peter declares of 
believers, ' Being born again, not of corruptible 
seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God.' " 

" Yes, my son, this is the great mean for con- 
verting sinners and bringing them ' from dark- 
ness into light.' Under this the Lord opened the 
heart of Lydia, ' that she attended unto the things 
which were spoken of Paul :' and this has been 
blessed to the salvation of hundreds and thou- 
sands, by the agency of the accompanying Spirit 
of holiness." 

" Having now considered this divine Agent, 
as the Person whose office it is to apply the 
benefits of redemption, we will on next Sab- 
bath attend to the mode by which it is accom- 
plished." 



96 WHY AM I 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, 
Without me ye can do nothing. 

" The application of redemption," said Mrs. 
Lindsay, at the usual time of holding her con- 
versations with her son and niece, " commences 
with the call of God, by which sinners are brought 
from a state of nature to a state of grace. The 
corruption of our nature renders the external call 
by the gospel ineffectual, till the internal call of 
the Spirit persuades and enables us to comply. 
All this comes from the free favour of Jehovah, 
'for by grace ye are saved through faith; and 
that not by yourselves : it is the gift of God.' 
The first effect of Divine power in the new crea- 
tion, is to enlighten the mind. The sinner be- 
holds his own character and state, becomes sensi- 
ble of his guilt, danger and v/retchedness; and 
is thus led into 'the knowledge of the love, and 
grace, and mercy of God, and an acquaintance 
with Christ, his substitution, righteousness, and 
fulness:' as it is said, 'ye were sometime dark- 
ness, but now are ye light in the Lord.' The 
next step is the renovation of the will. The 
affections are called forth in a way never before 
experienced. The revelation of the Saviour, in 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 97 

his righteousness and grace, accompanied as it 
is with a heartfelt sense of guilt, and wretched- 
ness, and helplessness, gives rise to faith, that 
act by which the soul receives the offered salva- 
tion, trusts in Christ for acceptance with God, 
and finds peace, and hope, and joy, in the con- 
templation of his character and work. Herbert, 
will you define repentance." 

"' Repentance unto life,' mother, 'is a saving 
grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of 
his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God 
in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, 
turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and 
endeavour after new obedience.' " 

"In this definition, my children, you see the 
difference between legal and evangelical repen- 
tance. The one is 'the sorrow of the world, 
which worketh death ;' the other is unto life ; 
and includes not only confessing our sins, but 
forsaking them likewise. Regeneration is not 
reformation ; but reformation always attends re- 
generation. Some may not have the grosser sins 
to lament in their past experience ; but all have 
that enmity of heart which must be taken away, 
that idolatry of self which must be dethroned. 
We are told in the answer given by Mabel, last 
Sabbath evening, that ' we are united to Christ 
in our effectual calling.' This union is shadowed 
9 



98 WHY AM I 

forth in the word of God under many emblems* 
The vine and its branches* the head and the 
members, the building and its foundation, the 
bridegroom and his spouse, all presuppose the 
closest union ; but as if earthly images failed to 
represent this tender relation, our Saviour calls 
in the aid of heavenly mysteries, and prays that 
his people may be one, as the Father was in 
him, and he in the Father, that they might be 
one in ' fellowship with the Father and with his 
Son Jesus Christ.' The bond of this union be- 
tween Christ and his people is the Spirit ; but 
as it is mutual, something on their part is wanted 
to complete it, and this is faith. Mabel, what is 
saving faith ?" 

"'Faith' in Jesus Christ, aunt, 'is a saving 
grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him 
alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the 
gospel.' " 

" This quality is a fruit of the Spirit of re- 
generation, and although the soul which he has 
quickened begins immediately to exert itself in 
all the actings of spiritual life, yet faith is emi- 
nently entitled to attention ; because it receives 
Christ, and has a direct and powerful influence 
upon our peace, and comfort, and sanctification." 

"Faith comprehends the knowledge of the 
mystery of God and of Christ, in the light of 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 99 

grace, and the truth of this mystery the believer 
owns with full assent of mind, on the authority 
of the testimony of God. In this truth he exults ; 
ardently desires communion with Christ, and 
when the Saviour is offered to him by the word 
and •Spirit, receives him with delight, glorying 
that Christ is now his own, and seeking to mani- 
fest that union by holy actings of soul, and by 
Living as one that is ' renewed in the Spirit of his 
mind. ,,, 

"For that faith alone is efficacious 'which 
worketh by love' and 'purifies the heart.' Nor 
must we consider faith a meritorious act, on the 
part of the sinner — it is like reaching forth the 
hand to receive the blessings of the new cove- 
nant ; but the power to do so, belongs to a higher 
origin than the mere volition of the recipient. 
Faith is 'the gift of God.' Faith also implies 
the renunciation of our own righteousness, as a 
foundation for our hope. ' To him that worketh,' 
says Paul, 'the reward is not reckoned of grace, 
but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but 
believeth in him that justifleth the ungodly, his 
faith is counted for righteousness.' In this sense 
it is well said, that the believer does not work 
that he might live, but lives that he might work. 
Disclaiming all hopes of justification by the 
deeds of the law, he desires to show by his good 



100 WHY AM I 

works, that 'Christ is in his heart, the hope of 
glory.'" 

"What is your opinion, mother, about assur- 
ance being of the essence of faith?" 

" Before I can answer that question, Herbert, 
we must settle what assurance means. If*you 
understand by it, a full persuasion of the Divine 
testimony, whatever subject it relate to, I reply 
that it is essential to faith : but if it imply an 
explicit assurance of our own salvation, I deny 
that it is of such vital importance. How many 
persons have been all their lives doubting and 
fearing, who in the judgment of charity gave 
more evidence of a state of grace, than others 
who had much stronger expectations of accept- 
ance and favour with God." 

" Yet surely, aunt, it is not a Christian's duty 
to be contented with such uncertainity in a ques- 
tion of so much importance." 

"Far from it, my dear ; Met us draw near,' 
the Apostle says, 'with a true heart, in full 
assurance of faith.' In another place he tells 
us, 'Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the 
faith; prove your ownselves. Know ye not 
your ownselves, how that Jesus Christ is in you 
except ye be reprobates V The metaphor here 
used, is borrowed from the process of assaying 
metals, where those which are alloyed or im- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? \Q\ 

pure are rejected. If then it is of importance 
that our bullion should not be adulterated, how 
much more should we seek 'the trial of our 
faith, being much more precious than of gold 
that perisheth?' I cannot but think, that there 
is much criminal negligence on this subject 
among Christians ; and fear that many sit down 
contentedly in suspense, about their title to a 
heavenly inheritance, who would soon sift out 
the truth if it were a question of an earthly pos- 
session." 

"And how would it be possible to solve the 
difficulty, aunt?" 

"Inquire what is the dominant feeling of the 
mind. If delight in God's services, self-denial 
for the cause of Christ, communion with our 
Maker in prayer, and all the other ordinances of 
his Church, are our delight and our chief aim, 
then may we hope that we have ' the Spirit of 
Christ,' without which, 'we are none of his:' 
and as John has said, 'This commandment have 
we from him, That he who loveth God loveth his 
brother also :' so it will assist us in the process of 
self-examination, if we find that our conduct to 
our neighbour, in the widest sense of the term, 
is regulated by the law of love. But we must 
pass on to the benefits of regeneration. What 
are these as enumerated by our form of sound 
9* 



102 WHY AM I 

words, Mabel, or rather what is the first men- 
tioned ? for we will glance at each in succession." 

"Aunt, they that are effectually called, do in 
this life, partake of justification — " 

" Herbert will tell us what that is." 

"I will, mother; in the words of the same 
compendium of divine truth. ' Justification is an 
act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth 
all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in 
his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ 
imputed to us, and received by faith alone.' " 

" This doctrine, my dear children, may well 
be called the keystone of the Reformation. The 
mind of Luther was brought to bear upon the 
perversions and abuses of the practice of indul- 
gences, granted by the Papal See ; by which a 
rate was fixed for the pardon of sin, and our 
* Father's house' was made 'a house of merchan- 
dize.' Herbert tell your cousin how Tetzel and 
his minions performed their work." 

" D'Aubigne's description of their arrival in 
the cities they visited is so graphic, mother, that 
I will give it you verbatim. ' A great agitation 
reigned at that time among the people of Ger- 
many. The Church had opened a vast market 
on the earth. Judging from the crowd of buyers 
and the noise and jests of the dealers, we might 
call it a fair; but a fair held by monks. The 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 103 

merchandize they extolled, offering it at a re- 
duced price, was, said they, the salvation of 
souls. The dealers passed through the country 
in a gay carriage, escorted by their horsemen, 
in great state and spending freely. One might 
have thought it some dignitary on a royal pro- 
gress, with his attendants and officers, and not a 
common dealer, or a begging monk. When 
the procession approached a town, a messenger 
waited on the magistrate: 'The grace of God 
and of the Holy Father is at your gates !' said 
the envoy. Instantly everything was in motion 
in the place. The clergy, the priests, the nuns, 
the council, the schoolmasters, the traders, with 
their flags ; men and women, young and old, 
went forth to meet the merchants, with lighted 
tapers in their hands, advancing to the sound of 
music, and of all the bells of the place ; ' so that,' 
says an historian, 'they could not have given a 
grander welcome to God himself.' Salutations 
being exchanged, the whole procession moved 
toward the church. The pontiff's bull of grace 
was borne in front, on a velvet cushion, or on 
cloth of gold. The chief vender of indulgences 
followed, supporting a large red wooden cross ; 
and the whole procession moved in this manner, 
amidst singing, prayers, and the smoke of 
incense. The sound of organs, and a concert of 



104 WHY AM I 

instruments, received the monkish dealer and 
his attendants into the church. The cross he 
bore with him was erected in front of the altar: 
on it was hung the Pope's arms ; and as long as 
it remained there, the clergy of the place, the 
penitentiaries, and the sub-commissioners, with 
white wands in their hands, came every day 
after vespers, or before the salutation, to do hom- 
age to it. 

" ' Their mode of procedure afterwards may be 
guessed from this commencement. Tetzel de- 
clared, that his cross had as much efficacy as the 
cross of Jesus Christ : that no sin was too great 
to be paid for; and that repentance was not 
indispensable. Thus did Leo and his emis- 
saries, by this shameless traffic, prepare the 
way for the Reformation ; and thus did the 
glorious truth, that 'a man is justified by faith 
without the deeds of the law, prove mighty 
through God to the pulling down of strong holds,' 
and release multitudes from the spiritual bondage 
of the Romish hierarchy.'" 

" Justification" said Mrs. Herbert, " is a point 
which must ever hold a prominent place in a 
system of theology, because it is the method by 
which the sinner is restored to the favour of God. 
Herbert how is it derived ?" 

"It comes from the Latin, mother; and is a 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 105 

forensic, or law term. It signifies making a 
person just, or rather accounting him so: and 
therefore does not denote a change in his dispo- 
sition, but a change of state in relation to the 
law." 

"From the definition of the Catechism," said 
Mrs. Herbert, "we see that justification means 
much more than pardon. It comprehends also, 
our acceptance as righteous in the sight of God. 
Thus the poor sinner is not only freed from the 
law. as a broken covenant, but 'accepted in the 
beloved.' For it is only through the righteousness 
of Christ that we obtain, these privileges. By 
this we understand his obedience, both active 
and passive. The first was manifested in the 
holiness of his life, and his perfect conformity to 
the whole law of God, in thought, word, and 
action, without failing in it, either in kind or in 
degree ; the latter, in his submission to the curse 
of the law, in his satisfaction for sin, and his 
enduring all that wrath which was due to his 
people for their rebellion against God, and the 
dishonour which was thereby done to Jehovah. 
Scripture is very full on this head. 'As by one 
man's disobedience many were made sinners; 
so by the obedience of one shall many be made 
righteous.' * He hath made him to be sin for us, 
who knew no sin ; that we might be made the 



106 WHY AM I 

righteousness of God in him.' This righteous- 
ness is received by faith alone, for it ' is by faith 
of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that 
believe.' What error is sometimes broached, as 
regards the date of our justification, Herbert?" 

" The Sandemanians and others, mother, hold 
to eternal justification; in opposition to whom, 
our Confession tells us, 'God did, from all 
eternity, decree to justify all the elect; and 
Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their 
sins, and rise again for their justification : never- 
theless they are not justified, until the Holy 
Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ 
unto them." 

" What is the next item in the lists of bene- 
fits, Mabel?" 

"Adoption, aunt." 

" What is adoption, Herbert ?" 

"Adoption, mother, is an act of God's free 
grace, whereby we are received into the num- 
ber, and have a right to all the privileges of the 
sons of God." 

" In speaking of adoption, Mabel, as an act of 
God, we must remember that it is virtually the 
same as justification ; and it differs from it only 
as it gives a new view of the relation of believers 
to God, and exhibits the blessings to which they 
are entitled, in a peculiar form. Like justifica- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 107 

tion, it is called an act, because it is complete at 
once, and not carried on by degrees, thus differ- 
ing from sanctification which is progressive, and 
sometimes slow. What was the mode of adop- 
tion practised by the Romans, Herbert ?" 

" To adopt a person, mother, was to take him 
in the room of a son, and to give him a right to 
all the privileges belonging to that title. This 
transaction was made a public concern ; and the 
man who wished to adopt another, was obliged 
to draw up his reasons, and offer them to the 
College of the Pontifices for their approbation. 
This obtained, the Consul, or some other prime 
magistrate, brought in a bill at the Comitia 
Curiata, to make the process binding. The 
private ceremony consisted in buying the person 
to be adopted, of his parents, for such a sum of 
money, formally given and taken. When the 
parties appeared before the praetor, the intended 
father said, ' Art thou willing to become my 
son V to which the answer was, ' I am willing.' 
The relation thus formed, was according to law ; 
and the adopted son entered into the family of his 
new father, assumed his name, became subject 
to his authority, and was entitled to his inheri- 
tance, or if there were sons, to a share with 
them." 

" How appropriate to all this, Herbert, is the 



108 WHY AM I 

declaration of John: 'Beloved now are we the 
sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we 
shall be : but we know that, when he shall ap- 
pear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him 
as he is.' And that of Paul, ' God sent forth his 
Son to redeem them that were under the law, 
that we might receive the adoption of sons.' 
Many are the privileges attending on those who 
are spiritually adopted ! God is a Father to 
them- — they receive the Spirit of adoption — their 
heavenly Father provides for all their wants — 
subjects them to his paternal discipline— and 
will finally bestow on them an eternal inheri- 
tance. What is sanctification, Mabel — our next 
particular in the enumeration of blessings ?" 

" Sanctification, aunt, is the work of God's free 
grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole 
man in the, image of God, and are enabled more 
and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteous- 
ness." 

"This work is more especially produced in 
the mind by the Holy Spirit. 'And such were 
some of you :' says the Apostle, referring to the 
unrighteous among the Corinthians, ' but ye are 
washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justi- 
fied by the Spirit of our God.' In sanctification 
we are made holy by the infusion of his grace, 
which purifies us from the pollution of sin, and 



A PRESEBYTRIAN? 109 

changes us 'into the same image (of the glory 
of the Lord) from glory to glory even as by the 
Spirit of the Lord.' Justification differs from 
sanctification in its order, preceding it in the 
mind ; for the sinner is pardoned and restored 
to favour, before he is renewed after the image 
of God : in its object, for while the first takes 
away our liability to punishment, the second 
cleanses us from the pollution of sin: and in its 
form, as the one is a judicial act, by which we 
are pronounced righteous, while the other is 
a series of moral acts, by which a change is 
effected in the qualities of the soul. Herbert, 
how do you distinguish sanctification from re- 
generation ?" 

"The difference between regeneration and 
sanctification, mother, is not like that you have 
just been explaining, between the last men- 
tioned work of the Spirit, and justification. On 
the contrary, they are both parts of the same 
great design, but differ in this respect, that re- 
generation is the infusion of spiritual life, and 
sanctification that life when expanded and ma- 
tured. One is the germ, the other the full grown 
plant ; and to carry out my analogy, as the 
growth and ripening of the natural world de- 
pend upon the genial influences of heat and 
moisture, so will 'God's husbandry,' 'bring no 
10 



HO WHY AM I 

fruit to perfection,' unless the beams of the sun 
of righteousness, and the dews of heavenly in- 
fluence descend upon the soul." 

"Two things, my children, are implied in 
sanctification ; the mortifying of sin, and the in- 
crease of personal holiness. The will of the 
believer is more and more conformed to the will 
of God : the understanding more and more en- 
lightened by the word and Spirit of truth : all 
his holy principles are strengthened : and the 
whole soul is ' filled with the love of God that 
passeth knowledge.' Perfection however, can- 
not be attained in this life, and they who profess 
to have done so, either know not that whereof 
they affirm, or affix a false idea to the phrase- 
ology they use. But our conversation has lasted 
longer than usual. 'May the very God of peace 
sanctify us wholly,' that we 'may grow in grace, 
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and 
for ever. Amen.' " 

CHAPTER IX. 

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us. 
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in be- 
lieving. 

"Mabel," said Mrs. Lindsay, on the succeed- 
ing Sabbath evening, " what are the benefits 



A PRESBYTERIAN? JU 

which in this life do either accompany or flow 
from justification, adoption, and sanctification ?" 

" The benefits, aunt, which in this life, do 
either accompany or flow from justification, adop- 
tion, and sanctification, are assurance of God's 
love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, 
increase of grace, and perseverance therein to 
the end." 

"The first of these, you know, my children, 
has already been spoken of, so we will go on to 
the second." 

" But dear aunt, will you not give a little more 
time to this subject?" 

" Certainly, my love, if there is any thing you 
wish to be informed about." 

"Are all who do not possess the evidence of 
their regeneration to keep back from the Lord's 
table? You know the Methodists allow those 
to commune, w T ho only join on probation." 

" This practise arises from their erroneous 
'views of the sacrament in question. Presby- 
terians do not consider it a converting ordinance, 
though eminently fitted to ' build up in their most 
holy faith' those in whom the new nature has 
been implanted. As to the amount of evidence 
required to make a suitable approach to the feast 
of love, much depends on temperament, instruc- 
tion, and other circumstances. Some have only 



112 WHY AM I 

had a slender thread of hope, resulting perhaps, 
from a feeling that like Peter, they could declare, 
6 Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest 
that I love thee !' Others apply on the faith of 
some Scripture promise, like the following ; ' He 
that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out ;' 
'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy 
laden, and I will give you rest.' As a general 
rule, where there is faith, though even as * a grain 
of mustard seed,' ' which indeed is the least of 
all seeds,' the holy principle is strengthened and 
developed by an external profession: though of 
the two extremes, it is better to wait for more 
light, using diligently the means of grace all the 
while, than to rush precipitately into the Church ; 
without oil in the lamp — without the wed- 
ding garment — without counting the cost. The 
Church in these days of profession, is cumbered 
with these drones in the hive ; these loiterers in 
the vineyard; whose 'spot is not the spot of 
God's children ;' and who, because they speak ■ 
the language of Canaan, have persuaded them- 
selves and others that they are partakers in the 
spiritual conquests. We will now examine the 
next blessing — peace of conscience. Mabel, 
what is conscience ?" 

" Aunt, is it not that power of the mind, which 
finds out what is right or wrong in actions, and 



A PRESBYTERIAN? H3 

which either gives us peace, or causes great un- 
easiness." 

" It is, my dear. Herbert, what is the rule 
of conscience ?" 

"The rule of conscience, mother, is the will 
of God. This is made known by the light 
of nature, as expressed by the Apostle. 'For 
when the Gentiles, which have not the law, 
do by nature the things contained in the law, 
these, having not the law, are a law jinto them- 
selves ; which show the work of the law writ- 
ten in their hearts, their conscience also bear- 
ing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile 
accusing or else excusing one another. But to 
those who have the Bible the rule of conscience 
is the word of God, in which his will is fully 
expressed.' " 

"No subject has been more dwelt upon by 
writers on moral philosophy," continued Mrs. 
Lindsay, "than conscience. By some it has been 
considered an infallible guide — the vicegerent of 
heaven, and the light within. Such assertions, 
however, overlook the fact, that as at the fall all 
the faculties of the mind shared in the general 
ruin, so conscience was obscured and discoloured 
even at its source. Its insufficiency and falli- 
bility are proved by the fact, that it often prompts 
to actions the most removed from the line of rec- 
10* 



114 WHY AM I 

titude: thus Paul 'verily thought with himself 
that he ought to do many things contrary to the 
name of Jesus of Nazareth,' and the unbelieving 
Jews had ' a zeal for God, but not according to 
knowledge.' To conscience, the celebrated apos- 
trophe of Madam Roland may well be applied : 
' Liberty ! what crimes have been committed 
in thy name !' Conscience, blinded and per- 
verted, has kindled the flames of the Inquisition; 
immured unwilling victims in the cloisters and 
the dungeons ; trampled on the holiest instincts 
of our nature ; and consigned whole nations to the 
tender mercies of dragoons and heretic-hunters." 

"And yet, dear mother, this faculty is very 
important if enlightened." 

"Do not suppose for an instant, that I seek to 
depreciate the value of this mighty monitor. I 
only wished to show its insufficiency if not rec- 
tified from that obliquity which is consequent on 
Adam's first transgression. The more vividly 
the Spirit impresses on our minds the perfect 
rule of life exhibited in Scripture, the more we 
become aware of our departure from its holy 
requisitions. Conscience, like every other men- 
tal faculty, acquires vigour and sensitiveness 
from cultivation ; and therefore the Christian 
deplores as heinous sins, what a less informed 
conscience regards as trifles, or mere pitiable 



A PRESBYTERIAN? ;Q5 

infirmities. The Psalmist felt, that 'the com- 
mandment was exceeding broad,' and our Sa- 
viour's code of ethics extended to the thoughts 
of the heart, and the words of the lips. Hence 
we see the importance of cherishing tenderness 
of conscience. If its warnings are regarded, 
how much after suffering would be prevented ; 
but if we attend not to its suggestions, it becomes 
blunted in its turn, and no longer gives notice 
when we are in danger of falling into tempta- 
tion." 

"I suppose, aunt, it is because good men are 
more careful to examine their spirit and conduct, 
that we find so much in their diaries of self- 
accusation." 

" It is so. Their confessions of sin, and breath- 
ings after holiness, have often been stigmatized 
as hypocrisy and cant, by those who had not the 
same acuteness of moral perception as them- 
selves. Here Bunyan's simile of the dusty 
chamber is very appropriate. While the heart 
is undisturbed by conviction its sinfulness gives 
it no trouble ; but when once its secret chambers 
are explored, the moats are flying in all direc- 
tions. How powerful is conscience when sus- 
tained and fortified by Him from whom all good 
thoughts and holy desires proceed ! How has 
it resisted and triumphed over all the machina- 



116 WHY AM I 

tions of spiritual tyranny; and enabled helpless 
women, and tender youth, to expire in transport ; 
or support banishment and poverty with firm- 
ness, rather than sacrifice their integrity, or 
stifle the voice of conscience and of God ! But 
this unnatural state of things we can hardly 
comprehend in our happy country, where civil 
and religious liberty go hand in hand, where the 
rights of conscience are not interfered with, and 
where every one is permitted to worship God 
according to his convictions. Peace of con- 
science — this blessing comprehends, and flows 
from the privileges we have been considering. 
It is that peace which Christ promised to his 
people, ' Peace I leave with you, my peace I 
give unto you.' It consists in an assurance that 
God is no longer angry with them ; that he will 
not reckon with them for their sins ; that he has 
freely pardoned them ; that he has received 
them into favour; that he will protect and bless 
them ; and give them eternal rest in heaven. 
This my children, is 

" The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy, 
Which nought on earth can darken or destroy j" 

and is opposed to stupidity of conscience, which 
knows not what is right ; to a false security of 
conscience, which gives a wrong estimate of our 



A PRESBYTERIAN? H7 

own characters ; to an erring conscience, arising 
from misapprehension of truth ; and to a hard- 
ened conscience, which receives not impressions 
of duty, and which Paul likens to being 'seared 
with a hot iron.'" 

" Conscience may for a while be silenced and 
put down; but there are times when she will 
assert her power, and wake her scorpions ; 

c{ Her voice is terrible, though soft:" 

and could we visit the chamber of the murderer, 
or the persecutor, we might witness those fear- 
ful revelations of remorse and agony which 
seem foreshadowed by that striking image of our 
Lord — ' the worm that never dies.' What is the 
next blessing, Mabel?" 

"Joy in the Holy Ghost, aunt." 

"This is a feeling of mind often inculcated in 
Scripture. 'Rejoice in the Lord, and again I 
say rejoice — Rejoice evermore.' 'For the king- 
dom of God is not meat and drink, but righteous- 
ness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.' 
The emotion of which we are speaking, is very 
different from mere animal exultation, or the joy 
of the hypocrite. It is a feeling arising in the 
soul from the possession of spiritual mercies — 
the love of God shed abroad by the Spirit in the 
heart — a view of Christ as presented in the gos- 



118 WHY AM I 

pel, the hope of enjoying his favour for ever, 
It is produced by the inhabitation of the Com- 
forter in the heart. ' Whom not having seen, ye 
love,' says Peter, 'in whom, though now ye see 
him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy un- 
speakable and full of glory.' The fact that we 
stand in the endearing relation of children to the 
Deity, is enough to gladden the heart. Seen 
through the medium of faith, 'all things are 
ours' — and whether trials attend us, or pros- 
perity shines upon our path ; whether cast down 
by sickness and debility, or rejoicing in health 
and vigour ; still can we declare, ' Jehovah is my 
portion, saith my soul, therefore will I trust in. 
him.' Sometimes however, the candle of the 
Lord is withdrawn for a time, we 'walk in dark- 
ness and have no light ;' yet Jet not such an one 
be discouraged: if he 'fear the Lord and obey 
the voice of his servant,' he is exhorted to ' trust 
in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God.' " 

"How much difference there is, mother, in 
the experience of Christians in this respect. 
Some are always on the mount, others hang their 
harps on the willows. In what way do you ac- ■ 
count for this ?" 

"Some allowance must be made for tempera- 
ment, and the state of the nervous system. But 
you must not suppose that even the most favoured 



A PRESBYTERIAN? HQ 

have not their seasons of depression. Growth in 
grace is not always to be measured by the rap- 
tures we experience. While in this vale of tears, 
we are often met by discouragements and diffi- 
culties ; and if our obedience is not diligent, 
zealous, and constant, the soul cannot be kept 
in a healthy, vigorous state. Let us beware, 
how we 'forsake the fountain of living waters, 
and hew out to ourselves broken cisterns which 
can hold no water.' If the creature, or the 
world and its pursuits, occupy the first place 
in our hearts, we shut out spiritual joy from our 
own souls. If we tire by the way, and fail in 
that devotedness and self-denial which our Lord 
requires, how can we expect the visible tokens 
of his love ? But we must pass on to the next 
particular. What is it, Mabel ?" 

"Increase of grace, aunt, and perseverance to 
the end." 

"The life of the Christian, my children, has 
been compared to ' a shining light, that shineth 
more and more unto the perfect day :' and we 
are told of our Saviour, that 'having loved his 
own which were in the world, he loved them 
unto the end.' The perseverance of the saints, 
is one of those cardinal doctrines of our Church, 
that has often been opposed by Arminians and 
others ; but notwithstanding their dislike to it, 



120 WHY x\M I 

is inexpressibly precious to the children of God. 
' Who shall separate us from the love of Christ V 
triumphantly asks the Apostle ; and the final 
apostacy of believers is impossible, from the 
divine constitution." 

"But, aunt, David and Peter both were guilty 
of great sins, were they not ?" 

"They were, my love ; and these cases have 
often been urged by the enemies of the doctrine 
in question. But while we cannot but own the 
shameful departures of both these saints, there 
is in both instances, such a spirit of contrition 
and self-abasement manifested, as shows that 
though Christians may be permitted to go great 
lengths in transgression, yet they shall not utterly 
become castaways. This article of our faith is 
supported by a variety of arguments, as well as 
the express declarations of Scripture. Our Sa- 
viour speaking of his sheep, says, 6 And I give 
unto them eternal life ; and they shall never 
perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my 
hand. My Father which gave them me is 
greater than all, and none is able to pluck them 
out of my Father's hand.' * Who are kept by 
the power of God, through faith unto salvation,' 
says Peter. The same reason is given in both 
texts — namely, the 'power of God.' All the 
descriptions of the Christian life are of a pro- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 121 

gressive character. A race — a warfare — a nar- 
row-way—all include the idea of continued and 
persevering action. The kingdom of heaven is 
likened to leaven, which pervades the whole 
mass — to a grain of mustard seed, which grows 
to a great tree, and to a field where the good seed 
was ripened and gathered into the barn." 

" I should think, aunt, that the decrees of God 
could not be accomplished, if the Christian was 
ever lost, after enjoying the benefits you have 
spoken of." 

"No, my child! It would sever that golden 
chain Paul mentions, if those who were ' pre- 
destinated, and called, and justified,' were not 
'also glorified.' Besides, the covenant made 
with the people of God by him is not transitory 
in its nature. 'I will make an everlasting cove- 
nant with them, that I will not turn away from 
them, to do them good ; but I will put my fear 
in their hearts that they shall not depart from 
me.' This fear of God put in the hearts of be- 
lievers, leads them to keep all his command- 
ments ; for it is not a slavish dread, but a reve- 
rence for his authority, and a desire to be con- 
formed to his image. When Paul asks, ' Who 
can lay any thing to the charge of God's elect V 
he does not mean to give license for sin, on 
account of our heavenly hope; as any one may 
11 



122 WHY AM I 

find, who reads the latter part of the Epistle to 
the Romans, which is as compendious an exhi- 
bition of holy practice, as the first eleven chap- 
ters are remarkable for their depth of doctrine 
and acuteness of reasoning." 

"I think, mother, no one can ever accuse you 
of Antinomianism ; you inculcate good works on 
all occasions." 

" I hope, my son, that I may be kept from so 
awful a perversion as that you speak of: not 
one of all the Protean forms of error is so fatal 
to the soul, or so dishonouring to God, as 'hold- 
ing the truth in unrighteousness.' But it is 
necessary to reiterate the injunction 'that they 
which have believed in God might be careful to 
maintain good works,' because from our peculiar 
views of the doctrines of grace, we are more 
liable to be asked the question, which is as old 
as the days of Paul, ' Shall we continue in sin 
that grace may abound V — to which he indig- 
nantly answered, ' God forbid : how shall we 
that are dead to sin continue any longer therein.' 
But another thing which makes this caution 
needful is, that even while Antinomian prin? 
ciples are disclaimed, there is a tendency in 
many minds to substitute a false Saviour, whose 
requisitions suit better with corrupt nature than 
the holy commands of Christ. In one case, this 



A PRESBYTERIAN? J23 

dependence may be placed on our orthodoxy, in 
another on psalmody, in a third on our religious 
profession or pious descent, but wherever it is 
fixed to the exclusion of that hope, which ' he 
that hath in him purifies himself as God is pure,' 
it is spurious and false." 

" The love of Christ as showed in his inter- 
cession, is certainly a strong argument in favour 
of the perseverance of the saints, mother ; if on 
earth, he knew that his Father heard him 
always, much more would his efficacious plead- 
ing avail in heaven." 

"You are right, my son; and another con- 
sideration of a similar kind is found in the fact, 
that the Saviour made a full atonement for the 
sins of his people. If therefore our surety bore 
our griefs, we may expect the full benefit of this 
gracious sacrifice; but if we fall from grace, and 
are excluded from heaven, the punishment of 
sin will be twice exacted: first of the substitute, 
and afterwards of those individuals in behalf of 
whom the vicarious sufferings of our Lord were 
borne. This is manifestly opposed to the jus- 
tice and the faithfulness of God. This same 
truth is also evident from the inhabitation of the 
Holy Ghost. Our Lord's words to his disciples 
are, 'I will pray the Father, and he shall give 
you another Comforter, that he may abide with 



124 WHY AM I 

you for ever.' This was a virtual promise, that 
they should be guided, and directed, and be- 
befriended by the Spirit to the end of their lives. 
Two offices are assigned to this Divine Per- 
son, from which the same conclusion may be 
drawn. He is said to seal believers, and to be 
the earnest of the future inheritance. ' Who 
hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of 
the Spirit in our hearts:' and again, it is en- 
joined on us, 'Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God 
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemp- 
tion.' A seal is used for different purposes; to 
mark a person's property, to secure his trea- 
sures, or to authenticate a deed. In all these 
senses the analogy applies. The Spirit marks 
believers as the peculiar people of God, guards 
them as his precious jewels, and confirms their 
title to salvation. But our Comforter is spoken 
of as ' an earnest.' This is a part, given as a 
pledge for the future possession of the whole. 
Grace begun in the soul, will be perfected in 
glory; and the earnest of the Spirit is mani- 
festly to assure Christians, that the work which 
he has begun in the soul, he will perform to the 
day of Jesus Christ. But how could we obtain 
an earnest, if the inheritance were not unalien- 
ably ours? Why should we trust in a sealing 
spirit, if the property of God could be pur- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? J25 

Joined, his treasures scattered, and his deed of 
gift annulled ? If left to our own strength, 
which is perfect weakness, w r e could never 
stand ; but if upheld and supported by Almighty 
power, we shall prove the stability of his pro- 
mises, the truth of his salvation. I cannot con- 
clude this evening's conversation better, than by 
the aspiration of the Apostle: 'Now unto him 
that is able to keep you from falling, and pre- 
sent you faultless before the presence of his 
glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God 
our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and 
power, both now and for ever. Amen.' " 



CHAPTER IX. 

To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. 
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall 
they arise. 

" We have now, my children," said Mrs. Lind- 
say, on the evening of the succeeding Sabbath, 
<; come to the close of this eventful life in our 
review of Christian doctrine ; and the believer is 
presented to us on the eve of dissolution. But 
even in the valley of the shadow of death, Christ 
is with his people. What benefits do believers 
receive from Christ at death, Mabel?" 
11* 



126 WHY AM I 

"The souls of believers, aunt, are at their 
death made perfect in holiness, and do imme- 
diately pass into glory; and their bodies, being 
still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till 
the resurrection." 

"Man," resumed Mrs. Lindsay, "differs from 
the brute creation in possessing a soul united to 
the body. This subtle principle is the origin of 
our thoughts, our desires, our reasonings ; in it 
chiefly consists our resemblance to the image 
of God which was lost by the fall, and restored 
by the infusion of spiritual life. 

"Natural life implies the continuance of the 
union between the sou^and the clay tabernacle ; 
and death is the severance of those so intimately 
connected on earth." 

"How. does it happen, aunt, if death is the 
punishment of sin, that those whose sins are for- 
given still endure this part of the penalty?" 

"The difficulty you have suggested my dear, 
has often been urged, and may be satisfactorily 
accounted for. While we are taught, that 'there 
is no condemnation to them that are in Christ 
Jesus,' it has seemed good to the Deity to per-' 
mit them to go through the temporal part of the 
penal sentence. Except in the case of Enoch 
and Elijah, there has been no exemption to the 
announcement, 'Dust thou art, and unto dust 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 127 

shalt thou return.' Even as in the house in- 
fected by leprosy, where the priest was directed 
to break down 'the stones of it, and the timber 
thereof, and all the mortar of the house ; and he 
shall carry them forth out of the city into an 
unclean place,' so God destroys these houses of 
clay; which are polluted by sin, and defiled 
with transgression. 

" Perhaps God's design in this matter, is to 
inspire his children with abhorrence of sin, 
which is followed by such fatal effects; to keep 
them humble, and give room for the exercise of 
patience, trust, and hope. In this world we are 
not to walk by sight, but by faith, and therefore 
the dread realities of an unseen world are not 
revealed to the bodily eye, but are made known 
to us in the Scriptures ; and if we believe not 
1 Moses and the prophets, neither will we be per- 
suaded though one rose from the dead.' " 

"Then, mother, if death were the portion of 
wicked men only, what consternation would it 
not occasion to survivers !" 

" It would indeed, my son, antedate the dis- 
closures of the judgment-day, and unveil the 
secrets of the invisible state. While the differ- 
ence between the dissolution of the righteous 
and the wicked is often marked by triumph and 
holy rapture in the one, and terror and dismay 



128 WHY AM I 

in the other ; yet there are instances in which 
good men die without giving witness of their 
acceptance, and sinners having 'no bands in 
their death,' evince an apparent composure, or 
stoical indifference. The reason for this proce- 
dure, partly at least, is because this world is not 
the place where retribution is made, and the 
separation definitively made between the friends 
and enemies of God. Besides, we are told that 
' the disciple is not above his master, nor the 
servant above his lord ;' if Christ for our sake 
drank the bitter cup of suffering even to the 
dregs, 'if he gave up the ghost,' and continued 
under the power of death for a time ; why should 
we repine, if our path to glory lies through that 
grave which he has made a safe passage for his 
people to the end of time. Among the posses- 
sions of the Christian reckoned up by Paul, 
'whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the 
world, or life, or death, or things present, or 
things to come ; all are yours ; and ye are 
Christ's, and Christ is God's,' we see even the 
last enemy is included ; and well may it be so, 
when it terminates our weary pilgrimage on 
earth, and brings us home to our Father's house, 
where there ' are many mansions.' 'Made per- 
fect in holiness,' — what a privilege ! ' The body 
of sin and death' cleaves to us here, but cannot 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 129 

pass the confines of the tomb. ' The spirits of 
just men made perfect' are among the inhabi- 
tants of 'Mount Zion, the city of the living God, 
the heavenly Jerusalem;' and in Revelations, 
'the souls of them that were slain for the word 
of God, and for the testimony which they held," 
' had white robes given unto every one of them.' 
These spirits pass immediately into glory. 
What error is here opposed, Herbert ?" 

"That of the Roman Catholics, mother, who 
pretend that all who do not die in mortal sin, are 
exposed to the purifying flames of purgatory. 
This opinion was doubtless borrowed from the 
heathen, as it is found both among their poets 
and philosophers; and as for them, it was not 
surprising, that being ignorant of the true purifi- 
cation for sin, they should imagine false ones. 
Nor would this mistake have ever become so pre- 
valent in the Papacy, had it not been for the 
immense gain, which it brings to the corrupt 
Church that patronizes it. The satisfaction of 
Christ, and the surplus merits of the saints, have 
furnished a fund of untoJd wealth to the Pope 
and his satellites. Working on the tenderest 
sympathies of the human heart, appeals have 
been made to survivors calculated to lead them 
to sacrifice and exertion, to pay for prayers and 
masses, which may benefit the deceased. In 



130 WHY AM I 

past ages of by-gone darkness, the mania for 
endowments and church legacies was so strong 
that the civil authority was compelled to inter- 
fere ; the delusion was supported by false visions 
and miracles, of which one does not know 
whether they are to be despised for their silli- 
ness, or abhorred for their impiety." 

"The immediate transition to heaven of the 
disembodied spirit," continued Mrs. Lindsay, 
" is proved by Scripture. * To-day shalt thou be 
with me in Paradise.' i Having a desire to de- 
part and be with Christ which is far better.' 
What a change will it be, when faith is turned 
to sight, and hope is lost in fruition ; while love, 
the greatest of the three, will increase and glow 
with ever-during intensity. But the body must 
participate in the triumphs of its consort; and 
though consigned to the tomb, and made to see 
corruption, it is a part of the Saviour's purchase, 
still united to Christ, and shall be 'fashioned 
like unto his glorious body,' in the resurrection 
of the just. Rest in their graves — what an idea 
of repose aud safety does this image express ! 
'There the wicked cease from troubling; and 
there the weary be at rest.' " 

" What do you think, mother, about the germ 
or seminal principle in the human body, which 
is said to be indestructible by death ?" 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 131 

" I think, my son, that we have no authority 
for any such hypothesis, which exists only in a 
gratuitous assumption, without proof, or even 
probability. That the identity of the body will 
be preserved, we must suppose, else it would be 
a new creation, and not a resurrection: but in 
what that identity consists, we are, from our 
ignorance, unable to decide. The Apostle's 
simile of a grain of wheat, justifies the idea of 
deveJopement ; and the change from the vora- 
cious crawling caterpillar, to the painted butter- 
fly, exulting in its new-found wings, and flutter- 
ing about from flower to flower, seems to indicate 
that our resurrection-bodies may be much more 
glorious than those we now call our own, and 
decorate so fondly. What benefits will be- 
lievers receive from Christ at the resurrection, 
Mabel?" 

" At the resurrection, aunt, believers being 
raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged 
and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made 
perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to 
all eternity." 

"'Now,' my children, ' has Christ risen from 
the dead, and is become the first fruits of them 
that slept.' His resurrection is the pledge and 
security for that of his people. When the great 
white throne was erected, John saw ' the dead, 



132 WHY AM I 

small and great, stand before God, and the boofeg 
were opened ; and another book was opened, 
which is the book of life ; and the dead were 
judged out of those things which were written 
in the books, according to their works. And 
the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and 
death and Hades (the invisible world) delivered 
up the dead which were in them, and they were 
judged every man according to their works/ 
The resurrection of the dead will be followed by 
the general judgment, of which the above is the 
figurative and impressive account from the Apo- 
calypse of John. Our Saviour has aiso given us 
a narrative of the transactions of that awful day, 
when 'before him shall be gathered all nations; 
and he shall separate them one from another 
as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats ; 
and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but 
the goats on the left.' Christ himself will be 
the judge, coming 'in his own glory, and in his 
Father's, and of the holy angels.' On that 
awful day the secrets of men's hearts shall be 
made known, the wicked sent to the place of 
punishment, and the righteous received into 'the 
kingdom prepared for them from the foundation 
of the world.' Our Catechism says, that be- 
lievers are raised up in glory, and the Apostle 
speaking of this body, calls it a spiritual one. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 133 

and says ' this corruptible must put on incorrup- 
tion, and this mortal must put on immortality.' 
How can we, in our present state of weakness 
and infirmity, comprehend the force of this des- 
cription ; or realize the vigour, the beauty, the 
capability of that new and delightful existence. 
We have Christ's word for it, that 'in the resur- 
rection we shall be as the angels of God in 
heaven ;' and how mighty, how resplendent, 
how holy, are these ministering spirits. They 
shall be openly acknowledged. Often in this 
world, the Lord's hidden ones are slighted and 
despised ; but there, they shall shine forth as the 
sun in the kingdom of their Father. The great 
and mighty of the earth would gladly at that 
time change places with those who were alone 
rich in faith, and abounding with good works; 
for it is of these the Saviour questions those who 
are summoned, and vain are their hopes who rest 
on their having said 'Lord, Lord;' or in pro- 
phesying 'in the name of Christ, or even casting 
out devils, and doing many wonderful works,' if 
with all this they have worked iniquity. Be- 
lievers shall be acquitted. In Christ, God 'hath 
not beheld iniquity in Jacob, nor perverseness in 
Israel;' their love, their obedience, and their 
self-denial is accepted, and acts of kindness ' done 
unto one of the least of these his brethren,' the 
12 



134 WHY AM I 

Judge will account as done unto himself. In 
the day of judgment — all the descriptions given 
us in the Bible of this trying hour are most im- 
pressive and sublime. Daniel tells us, ' I beheld 
till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient 
of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, 
and the hair of his head like the pure wool : his 
throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels 
as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and 
came forth from before him : thousand thou- 
sands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times 
ten thousand stood before him ; the judgment 
was set and the books were opened.' And John 
depicts this time as follows: 'And the heaven 
departed as a scroll when it is rolled together ; 
and every mountain and island were moved out 
of their places ; and the kings of the earth, and 
the great men, and the rich men, and the chief 
captains, and the mighty men, and every bond 
man, and every free man, hid themselves in the 
dens and in the rocks of the mountains ; and 
said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and 
hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the 
throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb ; for the 
great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be 
able to stand V The wrath of the Lamb ! How 
much is included in that expression ! O ! my 
children, may you never experience the full im- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 135 

port of those awful words ! We turn from the 
unhappy ones on the left, who have been cursed, 
and told to depart 'into everlasting fire prepared 
for the devil and his angels,' and contemplate 
the blessedness of those to whom the sweet and 
gladdening sounds will be addressed, 'Come, ye 
blessed of my Father' — ' Well done good and 
faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your 
Lord.' Made perfectly blessed in the full enjoy- 
ing of God to all eternity. How weak is lan- 
guage to describe this blessedness ! We are told 
that ' eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither 
have entered the heart of man, the things which 
God has prepared for them that love him;' and 
if we only reflect for a moment on the inherit- 
ance Christ has secured for us, we shall discover 
that it is 'incorruptible, undefined, and fadeth 
not away.' If this world is so full of beauty and 
richness, marred as it is by the prevalence of 
sin, and disfigured by the effects of transgres- 
sion, how will that better land abound in all that 
is lovely to the eye, delightful to the ear, or 
entrancing to the mind ! For we cannot but 
think that our glorified bodies will be a thousand 
times more susceptible of every pleasing emo- 
tion, than these abodes of weakness and decay: 
while our spirits, nurtured in heavenly things, 
and sublimated by intercourse with Deity, angels, 



136 WHY AM I 

and other holy beings, will be prepared to con- 
tribute largely to the felicity of the corporeal 
portion, to which they shall be reunited." 

"Do you think, mother, that the saints in hea- 
ven will remember those they knew on earth?" 

"Assuredly my son. Will not the mother 
recognize that only boy for whose salvation her 
tears and prayers were so often mingled on 
earth? And as with increased knowledge, she 
now discovers why the blessing was so long 
withheld; w r hy, when life was spared in one 
dangerous attack after another, the heart was 
left unsoftened till hope almost died within her, 
prompting her to yet more engaged pleading at 
the throne of grace, and at last perhaps, the 
lower sanctuary was exchanged for the higher 
without this one petition being granted ; will 
not her praises rise with higher tone to welcome 
her prodigal to his Father's house on high. 
Will not the faithful minister be aware that 
those to whom he broke the bread of life are 
now partaking with him in 'the marriage sup- 
per of the Lamb.' And may we not expect 
that ties so closely interwoven with our best 
emotions here, will be renewed and freshened 
by our intercourse in that atmosphere of love. 
To all eternity — this is the finishing stroke to 
the picture. Here, all is transitory, illusive, and 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 137 

deceitful. There, will be the full enjoying of 
God to all eternity. What progress will the 
human mind attain in its intercourse with him 
that sitteth on the throne, and with the Lamb, 
throughout the ceaseless ages of a never-ending 
immortality! My children, this hope of glory 
far exceeds, and casts in the shade the baubles 
of earth, and fills the heart with aspirations as 
ennobling as they are pure. Seek first this 
kingdom of heaven ; live here as expectants of 
it, and order all your conduct as it will be re- 
flected to the mind in the sea of glass like unto 
crystal which is before the throne. 



CHAPTER X. 

Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum. 
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear 

God, and keep his commandments : for this is the whole 

duty of man. 

" Is it possible, aunt," exclaimed Mabel, on the 
ensuing Sabbath evening, "that our precious 
conversations will be terminated so soon !" 

"Your hasty summons home will certainly 
put an end to them," replied her aunt ; "but we 
will hope that the instruction you have received 
will not be forgotten as soon as you leave us." 

"I fear that those Southern gaieties will drive 
12* 



138 WHY AM I 

our theology out of your head, Mabel," said 
Herbert. "I think my uncle need not have re- 
called you so suddenly. Does he doubt my 
mother's care of you, or think you are not happy 
with us ?" 

"Neither the one, nor the other, Herbert ; be 
assured, my father knows too well how com- 
fortable you have both made me. No doubt he 
has some good reasons for his conduct, though he 
has not explained them. But, aunt, would it not 
be a good plan to go over the different points of 
doctrine as you have discussed them; I think it 
would impress them more forcibly on my mind." 

" Your idea is a good one, my dear, and we 
will spend this evening in epitomizing the views 
of Divine truth that have "occupied us this 
season. May they ever retain that influence 
on your mind which their importance merits ! 
You know we commenced with God's crea- 
tive power, as exhibited in the formation of our 
first parents, who were placed in their blissful 
bowers of Paradise, made in the image of Deity, 
endowed with powers suited to their situation, 
blessed in the society of each other, the com- 
munion of God and holy angels, and privileged 
to a degree which their degenerate descendants 
can scarcely realize. With our great progenitor, 
God in his providence entered into a covenant, 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 139 

which, had it been observed, would have secured 
the happiness of the whole human race : but 
'man in honour abideth not,' the penalty was 
incurred, and the felicity of Eden forfeited. The 
consequences of this fatal act, we found in the 
sin and misery of Adam's descendants; their 
alienation from God ; and their liability to death, 
temporal, spiritual and eternal. This was sup- 
ported by Scripture, as well as the prevalence of 
mortality ; extending even to those who were in- 
capable of actual sin; and thus our species was 
proved to be condemned already. 'Children 
of wrath,' ' having come short of the glory of 
God.' In this darkness, however, a beam of 
hope appeared; the germ of prophecy unfolded 
by degrees; until in the fulness of time the 
great Deliverer appeared, to take away sin by 
the sacrifice of himself. After tracing the pre- 
dictions, which alike foretold the glory and 
abasement of our Immanuel, we considered his 
Divine and human natures, his offices, work, 
and reward. The foreknowledge and foreordi- 
nation of God came next, when I endeavoured to 
prove this article of faith from Scripture, to ex- 
plain, and defend it. After this needful digres- 
sion, the Personality and Agency of the Holy 
Spirit, and the doctrine of the Trinity were then 
taken up ; and while looking to Revelation as 



140 WHY AM I 

our only guide on subjects so far beyond the 
reach of unaided reason, much was found there 
that on any other system would be unmeaning, 
or contradictory, while by adopting our views of 
the Godhead, all was harmonized and explained. 
Next followed the office-work of the Spirit, as 
the applier of the redemption wrought out by 
the Saviour, and exemplified effectual calling in 
justification, adoption, and sanctification. The 
consequences of these, including assurance of 
God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy 
Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance to 
the end, ensued: and the benefits to be received 
by believers at death, and in the resurrection, 
finished our endeavours to vindicate the ways 
of God to man. 

" But what are the feelings that this short 
summary of truth should awaken in your minds ? 
Herbert, let us hear your impressions." 

"Our first feeling, I think, mother, should be 
adoration of the wonderful perfections of Deity, 
as exemplified in the course you have pursued. 
Well might the Apostle exclaim, 'O the depth 
of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge " 
of God ! How unsearchable are his judgments, 
and his ways past finding out !' But beyond all 
his other attributes, that of love for our fallen 
world shines out conspicuously bright. Sure 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 141 

none but God could plan a method to save the 
rebellious children of Adam, so gracious and so 
grand, as that by which 'his own Son was 
delivered up for us all.' 

"And what do you think of our system, 
Mabel?" 

"O ! aunt, my faith seems so weak, my obe- 
dience so imperfect, my views of Divine truth 
so confused, that I hardly dare to put in my 
humble claim to a participation in the glories 
you have portrayed ; and yet my hope is so pre- 
cious, that I cannot give it up." 

" Give it up, Mabel," said Herbert earnestly, 
"never think of such a thing; remember that 
'the righteous also shall hold on his way, and he 
that hath clean hands shall be stronger and 
stronger.' Uet not your discouragements make 
you relinquish what you have already attained, 
but ' press toward the mark for the prize of the 
high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' " 

"You have much mistaken me, dear child," 
observed Mrs. Lindsay, "if you have taken any 
thing but encouragement from what has been 
said. While it is right to have a high standard 
of duty, you must remember that you are yet 
young in the divine life, and cannot have 
attained that maturity of knowledge, or fulness 
of faith, consequent on long established and 



142 WHY AM I 

deeply rooted Christian character. The great 
mistake is, when young professors think that 
they have done all there is to do when they 
assumed the name of Christ, and that they shall 
grow holy as necessarily as they grow old. 
Progress — that much abused word — progress, in 
the highest sense of the term, should be the 
motto of the Christian, and especially of the 
young Christians of our day ; for to them we 
must look for more devotedness and higher 
attainments in holiness, than their predecessors 
have shown. Never, till consecration of heart 
and property be rightly understood and fully 
practised, will the Church put on that power 
and influence she was designed to wield ; and 
never will her system of doctrines be apprecia- 
ted as it deserves, till her members are more 
single-minded in their practice, more weaned 
from worldly conformity, and more desirous to 
walk * even as Christ walked' while he tarried 
in our world. Little will it avail us in the day 
of retribution, that we belonged to a church of 
pure doctrine, scriptural order, and inexhaustible 
resources, if we have not the vitality and power 
of godliness in our heart and life. O ! then, my 
beloved children, be not like the degenerate He- 
brews, who ' spake half in the language of Ash- 
dod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 143 

but according to the language of each people ;' 
but as you need a whole Christ, be his entirely, 
not in word only, but in deed and in truth. 
And as far as your influence extends, plead with 
those who have been brought up in our excellent 
faith not to forsake the Lord God of their fathers. 
While they possess a speculative belief in the 
truth, they have not the excuse of ignorance to 
plead, yet do they fall short of that assimilating 
faith which shall enable them to benefit by their 
doctrinal knowledge, and embrace Jesus Christ 
freely offered to them in the gospel. O ! that 
such would place a higher value on the heritage 
they cast from them so unwisely,- and instead of 
reaching to that which will not profit in the day 
of their calamity, that they might fight the good 
fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life." 



END OF PART II. 



WHY AM I A PRESBYTERIAN? 



PART III. 



EXPERIMENTAL PIETY. 



WHY AM I A PRESBYTERIAN? 



LETTER I. 

FROM MABEL HARCOURT TO MRS. LINDSAY. 

Magnolia Grove. 

My Dear Aunt: — My journey has been safely 
accomplished, and I have arrived at home in 
good health, though somewhat fatigued; and 
shall I confess it? a little homesick for that quiet 
abode, and those kind friends, so intimately con- 
nected with my fondest recollections. The 
reception given me by my dear parents was 
most cordial, though my humility, or as Herbert 
would say, my pride — will not permit me to 
repeat their partial encomiums on my growth, 
improvement, &c. 

On one subject, however, a sad disclosure 
awaited me ; and the tone of mystery in my 
father's letter, which had so much puzzled us, 
was soon explained. His reason for withdraw- 
ing me from your sheltering roof so hastily, was, 
that his fears had become excited by the illness 
of my dear sister Edith, of whose delicate health 
2 



Q WHY AM I 

we have lately heard, though not in terms to 
create serious alarm. My fears were first 
aroused by not finding her among the group 
that awaited my arrival in the ample portico in 
front of my father's house ; when in answer to 
my eager inquiries, I found that she was unable to 
leave her room. On seeing her, the first glance 
sufficed to show me the greatest change in her 
appearance ; and I could scarcely forbear from 
expressing my grief and consternation to her, 
though my father had enjoined calmness, as we 
ascended the stairs. 

She received me with the tenderest affection ; 
and as soon as we were left alone together, she 
said: "Can you forgive me, dearest Mabel, for 
calling you away from your happy northern 
home, when you were improving so rapidly? 
It was my doing to send for you, but when you 
know my reason, I am sure you will not be 
angry. Nay hear me out, love," she pursued, 
seeing I was about to speak, "it was not on ac- 
count of my poor suffering body that I needed 
you, but for my soul's benefit. I am going to 
die, Mabel, though our fond parents will not 
believe it, and I want you, the pupil of my dear 
aunt, to instruct me in religion as she has in- 
structed you. Pray with me, my sister, and 
comfort me, and try to fit me for the unknown 



A PRESBYTERIAN? J 

world before me, for I am weak, and ignorant, 
and fearful." 

The impression which this address made on 
my feelings, heightened as it was, by her mourn- 
ful, earnest countenance, and the low, impres- 
sive tones of her voice, I cannot describe; my 
tears would no longer be repressed, and we 
wept together for some time unrestrainedly. 

It was hard to determine the predominant 
feeling of my mind ; joy — that my beloved sister 
should thus sympathize in my religious feelings; 
or sorrow — that her precious life was in danger 
from disease. The first far exceeded my most 
sanguine expectations, as I had always feared 
lest Edith's influence would be adverse to any 
efforts I might make to give the things of the 
kingdom more prominence in the family; well 
knowing that she had not been in circumstances 
likely to advance her in the spiritual life, partly 
owing to our good old pastor's age and infirmity, 
and the distance between his house and my 
father's residence. 

As soon as I could speak coherently, I repre- 
sented to Edith that I was unfitted for the task 
she had assigned me, and urged her to apply to 
my dear father for counsel and aid: but she 
pleaded in the strongest terms that it would be 
unkind to arouse him or my mother from their 



8 WHY AM I 

dream of security before the time. We finally 
compromised matters by agreeing to refer to you 
for instruction on the important subject of Prac- 
tical Holiness, hoping that you will commence 
with the first operations of the Spirit, and go on 
to depict the mature Christian's experience and 
hope. 

By this plan those conversations on Sabbath 
evening, which I found so useful, will be re- 
placed, while my poor Edith will receive that 
information for which she is so eager ; nor will 
the benefits rest here, as I shall explain to you 
by and bye. 

As to my sister, all my sympathies are deeply 
interested for her. Next in age to myself, her 
natural amiability kept her from being half so 
troublesome or unruly as I was; and while my 
exuberant spirits were constantly leading me 
to overstep the boundaries prescribed, she was 
ever docile and obedient. Of course she made 
much more improvement in her studies, under 
our mutual governess, Miss Green, whose mild 
system was inadequate to quell my turbulent 
disposition. Finding me so unmanageable, our 
teacher, as may be supposed, became partial to 
my sister, and even held her up to me as an ex- 
ample worthy of my imitation. This injudicious 
conduct, however, never disturbed our mutual 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 9 

affection ; I never annoyed her with my pranks, 
and she forbore to lecture me, or assume airs of 
superiority; on the contrary, she was my con- 
stant apologist, and always averred, that if I 
would only apply to my studies, I would soon 
show that my talents were not contemptible. 
Dear partial girl ! 

But this is not all; Edith tells me no one has 
been more pleased and surprised by my improve- 
ment than Miss Green, and that she has not only 
recalled all her evil prognostications from my 
early aberrations, but has also confessed, that 
perhaps her system was deficient in that reli- 
gious bias which trains the moral sense, while 
the mind is cultivated in the fields of knowledge. 
In short, she feels for herself as well as her 
pupils, the want of a more operative Christian- 
ity. So you see, dear aunt, that your letters 
will be useful to us all ; do not be afraid of our 
thinking you prolix, but begin at the beginning. 

From what I have said, I think Herbert need 
not be uneasy lest Southern gayeties should turn 
my head, or Southern beaux attack my heart. 

Farewell, dear aunt ! Write soon, and pray 
often for your own child in the faith, 

MABEL HARCOURT. 



2* 



10 WHY AM I 



LETTER II. 

MRS. LINDSAY TO MABEL HARCOURT. 

Violet Tale. 

My Dear Girl: — Your letter had been 
anxiously looked for, and was eagerly opened. 
While we rejoiced to hear of your safe arrival at 
home, the news of your sister's illness was an 
unexpected trial to us. 

Most sincerely do I hope her forebodings 
may not be realized, as regards her young and 
precious life; but whether they are fulfilled or 
not, it is certain that the influence of religion to 
calm the mind, and induce submission to the 
will of God, is highly salutary. I shall therefore 
take great pleasure in unfolding to her the out- 
lines of Christian experience; and though from 
the distance between us, and the want of know- 
ledge of her state of mind, or information on the 
subject, I may not always be able to suit her 
case, yet I will to the best of my ability discharge 
the trust you have committed to me. May my 
poor endeavours be directed aright, and obtain 
efficiency from on high ! 

I need hardly tell you, my dear Edith, for to 
you, I would now address myself, that revolted 
man is by nature in a state of enmity against 



A PRESBYTERIAN? \\ 

God ; but though all are willing to call them- 
selves sinners, few realize the evil and turpitude 
of sin. The universality of this condemna- 
tion is clearly made known in the Scriptures. 
"Born in the likeness of a sinful progenitor ;" 
"children of wrath;" "dead in trespasses and 
sins ;" " having no hope and without God in the 
world;" "condemned already;" "all have sin- 
ned, and come short of the glory of God." To 
that bar against our acceptance with a holy 
Being which original sin presents, is added as 
soon as the evil tendencies are developed, those 
actual transgressions, which varying as they do 
in heinousness, nature and degree, are still 
offences against God's moral government ; and 
demand the punishment of the offender, that the 
justice of the Lawgiver may be maintained. 

I have said, that there is a vast dissimilarity 
in the overt acts of rebellion. Some quiescent 
minds 

"Content to dwell in decencies for ever," 

never do anything that may be esteemed vulgar 
or grossly improper, and fenced in by convention- 
alities and restraints of habit, think themselves 
very estimable people, while they pay as little 
regard to the word of God, and feel as little amena- 
ble to his requisitions, as if these sacred realities 



12 WHY AM I 

were like the idle wind which we regard not. 
Some on the other hand, are open violaters of all 
moral obligations, and say like those of old time, 
"Who is lord over us?" It may seem hard 
to place those who are amiable in their deport- 
ment, and pleasing in their appearance, in the 
same list as the profligate and the abandoned ; 
but in one respect at least, they are alike, if in 
a state of nature ; that God is not in all their 
thoughts, and his glory not the end they seek to 
promote. Unbelief is the crowning sin of those 
who have the gospel in their hands, because it 
prevents them from accepting the remedy for 
man's transgression, which that precious book 
reveals. Unbelief rejects alike the promises 
and threatenings of inspiration ; contemns the 
mediation of the Saviour, and quenches the 
strivings of the Spirit of all grace. Under its 
benumbing influence, man. is content to live 
estranged from holiness, and spends that time 
in pleasure, business, or otherworldly avocations, 
which should be devoted to "seeking first the 
kingdom of God and his righteousness." Oh! 
but for this strong delusion, would the sinner 
dare to live on in his guilt so unconcernedly, 
when there is but a hand's breadth between 
him and everlasting death ? 

The Christian's heart sickens at the thought, 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 13 

that rational, accountable, beings, who are acute 
in their perceptions, and clear in their deduc- 
tions on other subjects, here show such inconsis- 
tency and folly ; for many of these persons pre- 
tend to receive the precepts of the Bible as 
divinely inspired, and own its doctrines to be 
true ; even while they live in utter disregard of 
the one, and violation of the other. I have 
known a youth of this class, who was a good 
judge of preaching, and boasted of his orthodoxy. 
In childhood he delighted in religious instruc- 
tion, and assisted with eagerness in the arrange- 
ments for a prayer-meeting; in sickness, he 
had made promises of amendment, and confessed 
his culpability, and yet after preservations the 
most wonderful, he could neglect the public 
worship of God's house, desecrate the Sabbath, 
and inflict on his parents' hearts the bitter grief 
of feeling, that thus far at least, their prayers 
and instructions were in vain, as regarded him. 
But I must close this long letter, my dear 
Edith, by expressing my fervent hope that 
unbelief may never keep you from that Saviour, 
whose blood cleanseth from all sin, and whose 
grace can forgive all our iniquities, as well as 
heal all our diseases. Thus prays your affec- 
tionate aunt, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 



14 WHY AM I 

P. S. Herbert says he will write his own 
message, and sends best love to all. 



LETTER III. 

MRS. LINDSAY TO EDITH HABCOUfiT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dear Edith :— In my last letter, all in a 
state of nature were proved to be included under 
the condemnation of sin. For the most part 
however, this sad condition is attended by little 
or no trouble, even in the cases of the most 
flagrant offenders. 

"They live estranged, afar from God, 
And love the distance well." 

The strong man, armed, keepeth the house, 
and confident in his prowess, bids defiance to 
attack. Some checks of conscience, the sinner 
must feel, for that monitor will at times assert its 
power ; but this feeble barrier is insufficient to 
stem the tide of evil, as it rolls forward in its 
accelerated might. And yet this worm of the 
dust is dependent on that Maker, whose require- 
ments he has outraged and whose rights he has 
defrauded ; for all his powers of mind, his bodily 
frame, his continued existence, and his earthly 
blessings. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 15 

If the fiat of Jehovah go forth, man's beauty- 
withers like a moth, his wealth departs, his 
mental energies must fail, and while his body- 
crumbles to the dust, his spirit 

" No reckoning made, but sent to his account 
With ail his imperfections on his head" 

is summoned to the bar of Him who gave it. 
Surely this conflict is an unequal one, and to 
wage war with such an adversary, must only 
make the sinner's overthrow inevitable. With- 
out resting our argument on a state of future 
retribution solely, even under this dispensation 
of mercy, the displays of Divine displeasure 
have been so great, as to foreshow what will be 
the measure of his righteous indignation as it 
will be poured out on the wicked in the day of 
his wrath. 

But not alone the power of Deity opposes the 
rebel's continued course of opposition and unbe- 
lief; his goodness, to a generous mind, would be 
a strong incentive "to lead us to repentance." 
If we consider the human system, with its skil- 
ful contrivances and various mechanism; its 
chemical processes ; its strength and symmetry; 
the wise accommodation of its parts to the ends 
required; and the mighty range of power both 
physical and intellectual; we must acknowledge 



16 WHY AM I 

that "we are fearfully and wonderfully made." 
Has not then our great Architect a right to 
govern those beings that his hand has made ? 
Will not a retrospective view of our lives recall 
to us many a kind interposition of his Provi- 
dence, and striking display of his power to 
deliver from dangers and from death ? How 
can we grieve so good a Friend, or venture to 
provoke so kind a Benefactor 1 But if neither 
the power nor the goodness of God can induce 
us, to " cease to do evil, and learn to do well," a 
regard to our own happiness might well be 
esteemed a cogent argument to induce us to 
seek his testimonies. Even in this life "god- 
liness hath a promise ;" and though temporal 
prosperity is not always a mark of God's favour, 
yet it is certain, that the observance of his com- 
mands and the avoidance of sin, will in a general 
way, greatly contribute to our happiness and 
health. But as regards the world to come, all 
doubt is set at rest, as to the wisdom of choosing 
the Lord as our portion; even the impenitent 
must own that in this respect the Christian has 
the better part; for who among us shall dwell 
with devouring fire ? who among us shall dwell 
with everlasting burnings ? 

Few, even of the most unthinking, can bear 
the thought of thus running upon the thick 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 17 

bosses of Jehovah's buckler ; but they defer the 
consideration of eternal things to some more con- 
venient season. This spirit of procrastination 
has slain its tens of thousands. How do we 
know that time is in our hands? Who can 
insure us the continuance of life, mind, and 
consciousness ? May not the pressure of dis- 
ease, the wildness of delirium, or the torpor 
of exhaustion, incapacitate us in a dying hour 
from all thoughts or exercises of a holy kind ? 
Truly may it be said, "Now is the accepted 
time, now is the day of salvation." 

Often do we find sinners seeking to raise up 
some plea as a ground of excuse before God. 
Some allege that they are descended from pious 
parents. This is indeed a privilege, if rightly 
improved ; the piety of parents is not, however, 
necessarily continued to their children, except 
by the especial favour of God; and natural des- 
cent does not always carry with it the title to 
eternal life. David had an Absalom, and we 
find it on record that "the sons of God are born, 
not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of 
the will of man, but of God." Others contend, 
as an extenuation of their conduct, that their 
doctrinal views are orthodox. By what sophis- 
try can that be made an apology for laxity of 
practice, which only enhances its danger and its 
3 



18 WHY AM I 

guilt? The reproach of a cold, barren ortho- 
doxy, has too often been made by the enemies of 
sound doctrine, without its professed friends 
lending their sanction to so foul a slander. Little 
will it avail us, were our faith ever so pure, our 
knowledge ever so profound, if our lives are not 
in accordance with the requirements of God's 
law. 

Some, on the other hand, rest their hope on 
their moral life, good deeds, and never having 
done any harm. But no acts can be acceptable 
in the Divine sight, that are not the fruit of love 
to Christ, and union with him. The young 
ruler thought he had kept all the command- 
ments from his youth up, yet failed in the requi- 
sition made by our Lord ; and as to doing no 
harm, the assertion is a fallacy. Is it no harm 
to disobey God, neglect the salvation of our own 
souls, and by our influence and example draw 
others into like condemnation with ourselves ? 
But we must own, my dear child, after all the 
arguments that can be advanced to convince 
the sinner of his guilt and exposedness to pun- 
ishment, it is the Spirit only that can bring home 
divine truth to his heart. If this powerful 
teacher were to set in array before the mind the 
sins that any one of us has committed, in 
thought, word, and deed, the terrible account 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 19 

would fill us with confusion and dismay. Then 
all the flimsy excuses we have set up, fall be- 
fore the searching scrutiny of enlightened con- 
science : the law of God is found to be exceed- 
ing broad, extending to the words of the lips, 
and the thoughts of the heart ; all our neglected 
privileges, our warnings unimproved, and our 
mercies perverted to our injury, rise up before 
us, and sit heavy on our souls. Every offer of 
mercy rejected, every gospel sermon slighted, 
only increases our distress; and in this state of 
mind, the Apostle's exclamation is well under- 
stood : " O wretched man that I am ! who shall 
deliver me from the body of this death?" Yet 
strange to say, under this enlightenment, the 
sinner finds it is not so easy to work the work 
of faith. His services appear worthless in his 
eyes, his best approaches are unworthy of his 
Maker, and he begins to feel like the Psalmist, 
" If thou Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, 
who can stand ?" All the good works and 
amiable tempers so esteemed, before now appear 
wanting and incomplete, and our best "right- 
eousnesses are as filthy rags." Dearest Edith, 
have you been led to see your utter unworthi- 
ness in the sight of a Holy God ; to feel 

" That all your services are nought;" 

and that " by the deeds of the law shall no flesh 



20 WHY AM I 

be justified before God?" If you have, be not 
cast down, as if there was no door of escape for 
you ; for the gracious declaration of our Saviour 
is, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners 
to repentance." They only who feel their sin 
will apply to him who has deliverance to give ; 
and unless we have tried and discovered the 
inefficacy of all other schemes, we shall never 
realize the worth of that heaven-devised plan 
by which our sins and our iniquities shall be 
remembered no more. Think not that I have 
been a miserable comforter, in expatiating as I 
have on the guilt and danger of our race in their 
unconverted state. The surgeon must probe the 
wound ere the healing balm can be applied ; so 
he who would deal faithfully with souls must 
not soothe them w T ith fallacious hopes, but on the 
contrary, strip off all their refuges of lies, that 
they may be prepared for the consolations of the 
gospel. 

In my next, the nature and extent of convic- 
tion will be considered. Ever your affectionate 
aunt, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 

P. S. — Herbert desires to be remembered to 
all friends, and hopes that Mabel will take some 
notice of his letter. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 21 



LETTER IV. 

MABEL HARCOURT TO MRS. LINDSAY. 

Magnolia Grove. 

My Dear Aunt: — I am much obliged to you 
for the promptness with which you complied 
with my request, but — how shall I find courage 
to tell you ? — I did not find your communications 
as consolatory as I had expected ; and had it not 
been for the conclusion of your second letter, I 
should have felt that they were fitted to aggra- 
vate, rather than to console the distress of my 
poor Edith. This part, however, revealed to me 
your intentions ; and if my sister thought as I 
did, of the rest of your instructions, she found 
comfort in the idea that the Lord Jesus came to 
save sinners. When you spoke of good works 
being made a ground of dependence, she ex- 
claimed, "That was my reliance, Mabel, but I 
now find my poor performances will never avail 
me as a ground of justification." Do, dear 
aunt, remember how anxious we are for more of 
your winged messages of mercy, and write with- 
out delay. What you said about my sister's 
prognostics being mistaken, has I own, given me 
some hope, I am so used to take all you say as my 
oracles ; and I ventured to suggest this to her. 
3* 



22 WHY AM I 

"If I can be relieved from this distress of mind, 
love," she replied, " I shall be better able to 
think about my health : I dread to have my 
bodily strength restored, if I am to be tossed 
upon this sea of doubts and darkness." "How 
can that be," said I, "are you willing to die in 
your present state?" "Far from it," answered 
she," but while the rod is laid on me, I feel that 
perhaps its very object is to attain the blessing I 
need ; should I get well without that, and my 
present concern be succeeded by my former 
insensibility of heart, what hope will then be for 
me?" 

But your letters are to do good to more than 
Edith, dear aunt. I gave them to Miss Green, 
at her request, to peruse, and it seems that she 
has made use of them, in a Bible-class, composed 
of all her pupils, from the three families who 
partake of her instructions. I had promised 
Miss Green that I would close the exercises with 
prayer, and therefore had an opportunity of 
hearing something of what was said by the 
young auditors. My brother Edwin, whose 
vacation has allowed him to visit home at this 
time, seemed quite attentive ; but a poor boy 
who has been befriended by Mr. Morton's family 
was most interested in the subject. Some of the 
girls, I am sorry to say, yawned, and one of the 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 23 

Misses Morton was arranging her curls. Tell 
Herbert I thought he was so busy with his 
musty folios, that letter paper or foolscap would 
be beneath his notice. His letter however, con- 
vinced me, that I was not forgotten. Thank 
him for all his kind advice, and tell him never 
to think of relinquishing that Mentorship, which 
at one time was no sinecure, until he is again 
compelled to pronounce me incorrigible. 

Farewell, my beloved aunt! Do not forget 
your own 

MABEL. 



LETTER V. 

MRS. LINDSAY TO MABEL HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Bear Girl: — I hasten to reply to your 
letter just received. The feeling revealed in 
your sister's expressions, as quoted by you, bear 
the marks of real concern of mind, and appears 
to me a favourable indication. With all my 
love for her, it would be cruel to prophecy 
smooth things, and cry "Peace, when there is 
no peace." On the contrary, I would rather she 
should feel acutely the demerit of sin, the pollu- 
tion it entails, and the danger of that punish- 



24 WHY AM I 

ment to which it is obnoxious. I should wish 
her to become assured that neither good reso- 
lutions, nor outward observances, nor contri- 
tion for past offences, can avail aught as the 
means of obtaining peace with God. For even 
if these were so meritorious as to be acceptable 
in the eyes of the Deity — apart from other pro- 
curing causes — could they make amends for the 
past ? and are they not the bounden duty of 
intelligent beings, and but that which it is incum- 
bent on them to render ? 

There are many different opinions among 
theologians as respects conviction of sin ; some 
regarding it as merely a legal work, to drive the 
sinner to Christ as his only refuge ; and others 
believing it of the essence of faith. The first 
consider this an exercise antecedent to regene- 
ration ; the second view it as one of the effects of 
that blessed work. 

But this question is not easy to settle, or profit- 
able for you, my children, to investigate. That 
many, like Felix, tremble under the preaching 
of the gospel, and yet stifle their concern ; or 
that others experience great depression of spirit, 
and yet never find the way of peace, should not 
induce us to undervalue this humbling process. 
From the words of our Saviour, John xvi. 8, it 
would seem that the unregenerate were the sub- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 25 

jects of the Spirit's convicting agency; and cer- 
tain it is that conviction does not always eventu- 
ate in conversion. 

The extent and degree of this exercise of 
soul varies exceedingly in different individuals ; 
not only from the diverse nature of the Spirit's 
operations, but also from the modifications be- 
longing to the temperament, character, and ner- 
vous tendencies of those who are affected by it. 
Young Christians are often led to the Saviour 
with little or none of that dismay and terror by 
which others are visited, sometimes to such in- 
tenseness as almost to affect their reason. Nor 
should any seek after this depth of horror and 
despair, even if some who have passed through 
it, like Bunyan, have afterwards been eminent 
for piety. It is important that a sinner should 
have a clear and full persuasion of the guilt of 
sin, both original and actual ; a deep apprehen- 
sion of the dreadful wrath of God, and the 
miseries of hell as merited by him ; and that he 
should feel the inadequateness of all other right- 
eousness, and the insufficiency of all other satis- 
faction than that offered to him in the Gospel of 
Christ Jesus. Equally various, is the time 
which intervenes between a sense of sin and an 
assurance of pardon ; many are left in doubt of 
their interest in the plan of salvation for months, 



26 WHY AM I 

and even years, while others are born to God in 
a day. It is common to find convicted sinners 
striving by increased attention to duty, to recom- 
mend themselves to their Maker's favour ; they 
pray more fervently, hear preaching more atten- 
tively, even as Herod "did many things, and 
heard John gladly." But they soon find that 
these are but poor dependencies, and that even 
their holiest approaches are unworthy the notice 
of a God of purity. It is only when divested of 
all false hopes, driven off from every refuge of 
lies, and deeply conscious of their sin and misery 
that they can rightly appreciate the glad tidings 
of salvation through a Redeemer. This salva- 
tion is not only from the penalty of sin, but frees 
from its pollution also, by infusing holy tempers 
and spiritual desires. Obedience formerly ren- 
dered as a ground of justification, is now offered 
as a proof of love to the Saviour. The soul re- 
joices in the belief that she is the Beloved's, 
and that the Beloved is hers; while faith tri- 
umphs in a newly found Redeemer, the "chiefest 
among ten thousand, and altogether lovely." 
What a change from the condemning sentence 
of the law re-echoed by conscience, to the par- 
doning love and overcoming grace of the gospel ! 
Nor in all this process, from first to last, has any 
thing been done coercively, and contrary to the 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 27 

sinner's volition ; Christ's people are made 
" willing in the day of his power," and being 
drawn " with the cords of love, as with the bands 
of a man," "follow him in the regeneration." 

But perhaps my poor Edith is all this time 
fearing that these consolations are not for her; 
that she is too great a sinner to be accepted ; 
and therefore feels all these descriptions as but 
heightening her pain, by the contrast they pre- 
sent to her sad condition. 

Hear then, my afflicted child, what the Master 
says: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me 
and drink;" let him that is athirst come; and 
whosoever will, let him take of the waters of life 
freely." "Come unto me all ye that labour and 
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 
" Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise 
cast out." Will not these free and gracious in- 
vitations show you, that there is room for you in 
the heart of the Saviour, as well as in the courts 
of heaven ? Will not Paul's answer to the 
jailor's question, " What shall I do to be saved ?" 
suit your case also — "Believe in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and thou shalt be saved?" Yes, dear 
girl ! faith is the hand that is held out to receive 
the boon of eternal life ; faith is the connecting 
link between the Redeemer and his people ; and 
this faith is the gift of God. Come then to the 



28 WHY AM I 

mercy-seat with the plea of him of old, "Lord 
I believe, help thou my unbelief!" In the 
words of the hymn, 

"Let not conscience make you linger, 
Nor cf fitness fondly dream; 
All the fitness He requireth, 
Is to feel your need of Him." 

Do the risings of corruption in your heart dis- 
play to you the fearful state of its chambers of 
imagery, as they are revealed by Paul in the 
seventh chapter of Romans ? Like him rejoice, 
that " it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all 
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came to save 
sinners," even the chiefest of them. Do you 
perceive a strange stupidity and coidness in your 
heart, that will not respond to the condescending 
love of God? Even this is provided for in that 
gracious promise — "A new heart also will I 
give you, and a new spirit will I put within 
you ; and I will take away the stony heart out 
of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of 
flesh." 

"How," you ask, "is this new heart to be 
obtained?" The winding up of the text just 
quoted tells you. "I will yet for this be in- 
quired of by the house of Israel, to do it for 
them." Prayer, humble persevering prayer, is 
the appointed medium of communication between 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 29 

God and his Church. The prevalence of prayer 
is often spoken of in Scripture. In Luke xi. 5, 
there is a striking illustration of it. The good 
man of the house has gone to his repose — family- 
cares are over for the day — the safety and com- 
fort of his offspring are alike provided for — and 
sleep and silence reign in his peaceful dwell- 
ing. An intruder appears, and assails the slum- 
bering household in the dead of night. His re- 
quest is urgent, for his hospitality has been ap- 
pealed to ; but "he from within" is unwilling to 
be disturbed. " Trouble me not," we hear him 
drowsily declare — "the door is now shut and 
my children are with me in bed ; I cannot rise 
and give thee." 

Is the applicant discouraged by this repulse? 
doubtless he was not, but continued his solicita- 
tions, till, " because of his importunity," the host 
was compelled to "rise, and give him as many 
as he needed." And what is the practical ap- 
plication made by our Lord? "Ask and it shall 
be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock 
and it shall be opened unto you." But hear the 
climax of the Master's condescension — "If ye, 
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts 
unto your children, how much more shall your 
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them 

that ask him?" With the encouragement af- 
4 -'■— 



30 WHY AM I 

forded by these comprehensive declarations of 
the Bible, I must now conclude this long letter. 

I am rejoiced to hear that your father's official 
duties will soon permit him to revisit his family, 
even for a short time. Let not my dear Mabel 
be too sanguine in her expectations from my 
letters. No doubt, like the rams' horns before 
Jericho, this feeble instrumentality may be made 
successful ; but only as it is blessed by the great 
Head of Influences. Would that my personal 
efforts could be made to minister to the comfort 
of the suffering invalid ! I rejoice to hear that 
the Bible class is established, and that Mabel is 
to close it with prayer. With kind regards to 
your mother, Miss Greenland the dear children, 
Edwin included — that is, if he is not too much of 
a man for such comprehension — I am, my dear 
niece, your affectionate aunt, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 

P. S. — Herbert begs to be included in my 
remembrances. 



LETTER VI. 

HERBERT LINDSAY TO MABEL AND EDITH HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dear Cousins: — As my mother is so much 
occupied this week with a sick neighbour as to 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 31 

be prevented from writing her usual budget, she 
has desired me to take her place. I do not, 
however, intend to pursue the train of thought 
on which she is now addressing you ; I prefer 
to direct your attention to a subject not inappro- 
priate to her plan ; though perhaps my manner 
of approaching it may not have the easy and 
familiar style which she employs so happily. I 
will try, however, to throw aside the pedant, 
knowing how much Mabel dislikes that cha- 
racter. 

The topic I have selected is the Agent in the 
great work of regeneration — the Holy Spirit. 
Perhaps some things may be repeated which 
were said in the conversations on doctrine, to 
which Mabel so often refers ; but I will endea- 
vour not to do so, more than is unavoidable. 

It is, to me, utterly inconceivable how any 
one conversant with Scripture, can deny the 
personality, or as I view it, the real existence of 
the Spirit of God. This Divine Person, whom 
my old favourite invokes so eloquently, 

"And chiefly thou, Spirit, that dost prefer 
Before all temples the upright heart and pure, 
Instruct me, for thou know ? st: That from the first 
Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread, 
Dove-like, sat'st brooding on the vast abyss" — 

moved, as we are told, " upon the face of the 
waters," in primeval chaos ; ceased from striv- 



32 WHY AM I 

ing with the wicked antediluvians ; descended 
on the seventy elders in the time of Moses ; 
came upon Balaam, inspiring him to predict 
those glories which his covetousness debarred 
him from partaking ; dwelt in Joshua, the name- 
sake and antitype of our Emmanuel ; " spake 
by David;" ("as the Holy Ghost saith") gave 
Isaiah his power of evangelic prophecy ; indited 
in Ezekiel the promise of his own regenerating 
influences; was declared by Haggai to "remain 
among" his people Israel ; and was by Zacha- 
riah announced as one to be poured upon the 
house of David as the Spirit of grace and sup- 
plication; while Malachi informs us that he, 
i. e. Jehovah, had the residue of the Spirit. In 
the New Testament, we find the same Almighty 
Agent preparing a body for the Saviour; filling 
Elizabeth with prophetic inspiration ; revealing 
to Simeon that he should not see death before he 
had seen the Lord's Christ ; descending in a 
bodily form, like a dove, at the Saviour's bap- 
tism ; leading Jesus up into the wilderness, to 
be tempted of the devil; prayed for by Christ 
and promised to his disciples, as a Paraclete or 
Comforter in their orphanage ; conjoined with 
the Father and the Son in that initiatory rite of 
baptism to which all nations were to be made 
disciples ; coming with a sound from heaven as 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 33 

of a rushing mighty wind, filling the house 
where the little band of believers were, and ap- 
pearing to them in cloven tongues, like as of fire, 
and sitting upon each of them on the day of 
Pentecost, thereby fulfilling the promise to the 
ancient Church recorded by Joel ; vindicating 
his own insulted dignity by punishing Ananias 
and Sapphira with sudden death; catching away 
Philip, that the Ethiopian saw him no more ; 
saying unto Peter, "Behold three men seek 
thee," thus opening to the Gentiles the gates of 
gospel privilege; separating unto himself Bar- 
nabas and Saul for the work of the ministry ; 
forbidding Paul and Silas to preach the word in 
Asia, and not suffering them to go into Bythinia ; 
witnessing in every city to him of Tarsus, that 
bonds and afflictions abided him ; having made 
the elders of the Church at Ephesus overseers 
or bishops to feed the Church of God; saying 
by the mouth of Agabas, "so shall the Jews at 
Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, 
and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gen- 
tiles ;" shedding abroad the love of God in our 
hearts; bearing witness with our spirits; help- 
ing our infirmities ; making intercession for us 
with groanings which cannot be uttered ; as not 
to be grieved, nor quenched; anointing Chris- 
tians in an abiding manner; bearing record in 
4* 



34 WHY AM I 

heaven ; speaking to the seven churches of Asia ; 
blessing "the dead that die in the Lord;" and 
finally, inviting sinners to come and "take of the 
waters of life freely." 

But not only do the actions ascribed to the 
Spirit convey the strongest ideas of personality 
of existence ; the language used concerning him 
cannot be explained on any other hypothesis. 
For the sake of brevity I will confine myself to 
the words of the Saviour. When conversing 
with Nicodemus respecting regeneration, or the 
new birth, our Lord refers this process entirely 
to the Spirit. "The wind bloweth where it 
listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but 
canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it 
goeth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit." 
This declaration is worthy of a moment's investi- 
gation. "The wind bloweth where it listeth." 
The Greek word translated Spirit, signifies 
breath, or air ; and we find this metaphor fre- 
quently used to denote the operations of the 
Spirit; it is also supposed to refer to the mode 
of his subsistence, usually called procession. 
Our Saviour goes on to clear the subject by this 
similitude, which at once declares the author, 
and describes the manner of spiritual regenera- 
tion — "Thou hearest the sound thereof, but 
knowest not whence it cometh or whither, it 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 35 

goeth." As the natural air is not under the 
power of man to send forth or restrain, so the 
Holy Ghost is as wind, in the freedom and 
sovereignty of his methods of operating on the 
human soul. And if we consider the magnitude 
of the change, the resistance it overcomes, the 
blessing it ensures, the ills from which it de- 
livers, and the divine glory which it promotes, 
we well may conclude that nothing less than the 
same energy which created man's body can re- 
generate his spirit. 

Another passage which speaks volumes on 
this subject, is that when the Lord Jesus said, 
" Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of 
Man, it shall be forgiven him ; but whosoever 
speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be 
forgiven him, neither in this world neither in the 
world to come." I shall not, my dear cousins, 
attempt to pronounce on the nature of the sin 
here spoken of; many theologians think it was 
confined to the primitive ages of the Church, and 
I trust we shall all be kept from that blindness 
of mind and reprobation of heart which it must 
have included ; my object in quoting this context 
is to show what honour was put upon the Spirit 
by our Redeemer. His own sacred name might 
be reviled, his invitations rejected for a season; 
yea, his blood was imprecated to rest upon the 



36 WHY AM I 

heads of those who witnessed his miracles of 
mercy, and they might be forgiven ; but not so 
with any indignity offered to the Sanctifier : "it 
shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world 
neither in the world to come." 

But the point to which I would especially call 
your attention, is the legacy of the Spirit which 
the Lord Jesus bequeathed to his disciples before 
his death. In the economy of grace it had been 
ordained that the fulness of the Spirit should not 
be imparted during the Saviour's stay on earth : 
"the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because 
Jesus was not yet glorified." The announce- 
ment of the Redeemer's approaching death had 
filled his followers' hearts with sorrow, the bit- 
terness of which we can hardly conceive of. 
Their ambitious dreams of earthly grandeur dis- 
sipated ; their souls rent with grief at the antici- 
pated sufferings of their Lord; their timid fears 
excited at the probable danger to themselves ; 
their ancient ties of Jewish sympathy so rudely 
broken; they seemed "of all men most misera- 
ble." Their pitying Master promised them the 
Comforter, told them that it was expedient for 
them that he should go away; for if he went not 
away the Comforter would not come. This 
Spirit of truth was to guide them into all truth ; 
for he was not to speak of himself — he was to 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 37 

receive of Christ's, and show it unto the disci- 
ples. How great must he be whose coming 
would outweigh the advantages of the bodily- 
presence of the Saviour ! And how differently 
did the apostles speak and act after his holy- 
effusions had been communicated to them ! But 
the last instance of the Saviour's bearing witness 
to the personality of the Spirit which I shall 
adduce, is found in the baptismal formula, as 
instituted just before our Lord's ascension. How 
solemn the annunciation — "All power is given 
unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, there- 
fore, and teach all nations." — What? Why that 
the Holy Ghost is a Divine Person, united with 
the Father, the fountain of Deity, self-existent, 
omnipotent, every where present — and with the 
Son, whom all men were to honour even as they 
honoured the Father ; the man that is Jehovah's 
fellow ; the brightness of his glory, and the ex- 
press image of his person — in that great work of 
man's redemption from sin, of which the sacra- 
ment of baptism was the symbol and the seal. 
The book of Acts, the Epistles, and the Apoca- 
lyptic visions of John bear me out in my esti- 
mate of the significance of the announcements 
we have been reviewing. Think, my dear 
cousins, of three thousand converted in one day, 
from cruel enemies, who had joined in the cry of 



38 WHY AM I 

"Crucify him! crucify him!" to zealous, self- 
denying disciples ! Think of the change wrought 
in Saul of Tarsus when he had been " filled with 
the Holy Ghost," from the state of that untiring 
animosity which "persecuted this way unto the 
death!" Consider the churches established, the 
Gentiles evangelized, the canon of New Testa- 
ment Scripture completed, and we shall indeed 
confess that " the ministration of the Spirit is 
glorious." Nor have his blessed influences 
ceased with the miraculous displays of power 
which were peculiar to the earlier Christians ; 
his work still continues to be the sanctification of 
believers, uniting them to Christ in their effectual 
calling; being still the Spirit of wisdom and 
revelation in the knowledge of Christ, so that it 
may be truly said, " If a man be in Christ Jesus, 
he is a new creature." The effusions of mercy 
from this Spirit have at times been intermitted; 
but at this period of light and privilege, and in 
this happy country, favoured with so many indi- 
cations of his presence, there is abundant evi- 
dence that Christians, " by one Spirit, are all 
baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, 
whether bond or free, and have all been made 
to drink into one Spirit." At times these mani- 
festations have been more general than at others. 
Something like a Pentecostal outpouring has 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 39 

been displayed, and while sinners have been 
awakened, believers have been revived in their 
languishing graces, and taught to "do their first 
works :" these seasons are called revivals of 
religion, and under their blessed influence many- 
are "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise 
which is the earnest of our inheritance, until 
the redemption of the purchased possession, 
unto the praise of his glory." Thus, my dear 
cousins, have I endeavoured to give you some 
faint idea of the person, work, and dignity of 
" the Eternal Spirit ;" the third subsistence in the 
adorable Trinity. The theme is too vast to be 
exhausted by finite labour, too deep to be fathomed 
by finite intellect. But let us not reject the 
doctrine because we cannot fully comprehend it; 
rather let us rejoice for the consolation it is fitted 
to communicate. That we may all experience 
"the kindness and love of God our Saviour," 
" not by works of righteousness which we have 
done, but according to his mercy," that he may 
save us, " by the washing of regeneration and 
renewing of the Holy Ghost," is the fervent 
prayer of your affectionate cousin, 

HERBERT LINDSAY. 



40 WHY A M I 



LETTER VII. 

MABEL HARCOURT TO MRS. LINDSAY. 

Magnolia Grove. 

My Dear Aunt: — You will, I fear, be sur- 
prised at my long silence, but I deferred writing 
till I could give you a more definite account of 
my sister's real situation, as respects her disease. 
My father had become so much dissatisfied with 
the medical treatment of the family physician, 
that he brought home with him one of the most 
celebrated doctors from S , to hear his opin- 
ion of her case. 

Dr. Smith at once opened my father's eyes to 
the danger Edith was in, though he by no means 
considered her symptoms as absolutely hopeless. 
An entire new course of applications was com- 
menced ; among which repeated blistering was 
made use of. This was so painful and an- 
noying to her, that for the time it seemed to make 
her worse, and all of us younger ones voted Dr. 
Smith a barbarian ; and wished for our good old 
doctor back again, who let her do what she 
liked, and never troubled her with blisters. But, 
wonderful to relate, her cough is certainly better; 
and though very weak, she suffers less with pain 
in her side, and restlessness. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 41 

During this long interval, I have had less 
opportunity for talking and reading with Edith 
than before, because often she was unable, from 
pain and irritation, to listen to me ; and because 
my poor mother was overcome by the knowledge 
of her child's peril, and sunk under it so much 
as to be confined altogether to her room, and re- 
quire much of my attendance. But then Edith 
had her father, who took my place in her room, 
whenever my mother needed me ; and his fine 
mind and clear views of Divine truth, would no 
doubt more than compensate for the want of my 
poor services. Your letters, too, were her con- 
stant companions, whenever she was able to 
command herself; and so have been her Bible. 
Doddridge's Rise and Progress, Dabell's Hymns, 
&c. Herbert's essay she did not, I think, suffi- 
ciently appreciate — but do not tell him so, for I 
did appreciate it — and when it recalled some of 
your arguments on the same subject, I could 
hardly refrain from a few selfish tears at the 
thought of my far away distance from dear Vio- 
let Vale. 

But to return from this digression. I ought 
to tell you, that while I was busy with my 
mother, an old coloured woman who is very 
dear to us all — aunt Nelly — was often called 
upon to be with my sister. Aunt Nelly is an 
5 



42 WHY AM I 

excellent creature, a warm Methodist ; and, I 
believe, a sincere and consistent Christian. 
This will explain what I am about to relate. 

Last night Edith said, "You must write to 
our dear aunt Mabel; I know she is waiting 
for a letter before we can get any more of her 
precious instructions." " Well," returned I, 
"but what am I to say to her about you?" 
"Tell her, dear Mabel, that I am seeking, but 
have not yet found that peace I desire. Then 
some Christians have such a bright experience 
to relate ; while I can say nothing more than 
'Lord be merciful to me a sinner !' And there 
is another thing, but I do not like to speak of it, 
for I am sure Herbert would despise me for 
being so weak ; but I am so puzzled about those 
awfully mysterious decrees, that I do not know 
what to think about the offers of salvation in 
reference to them." I assured her that Herbert 
and you would never despise the humble inquirer 
after truth; as for the bright experience she 
talked of, I thought aunt Nelly's conversation 
had been the cause of that difficulty; and while 
I was willing to admit the worth, and even intel- 
ligence of the woman, for one of her class, still 
she appeared to me by no means a safe guide in 
religious matters. This much, however, dear 
aunt, is certain ; Edith's patience and fortitude 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 43 

grow with every fresh occasion that calls them 
forth; and though she may be perplexed by 
questions and fears, I do think the work of God 
is going on in her heart. I asked her why she 
had not told my father of her difficulties. "Dear 
sister,'' she replied, "you know how dearly we 
all love him, and I do not want to say a word 
that might savour of disrespect, but indeed I do 
not think father has so good a way with young 
beginners as my aunt has. Every thing seems 
so clear to him, that he cannot make allowance 
for my dulness and want of light; and then you 
know he always laments that he cannot speak 
on these subjects to his own family, as well as 
to those about whom he is less interested." So 
dear aunt, you see that though far off, your 
words find their way to the heart of our poor 
invalid. She says, too, that she finds after all 
that the idea of recovery has more weight than 
she supposed it had; and that instead of set- 
tling her mind to decide the question of her 
acceptance with God, her thoughts will wander 
off in anticipation of travelling, restored health, 
and a return to her former employments. But 
if she is still desponding, there is one rejoicing. 
Miss Green seems as if she had now found the 
" one thing needful," and the transformation ef- 
fected is wonderful to behold. But my paper is 



44 WHY AM I 

fall and crossed ; so dear aunt, farewell ! in haste 
your own child, 

MABEL HARCOURT. 
Having written to Herbert, I only send him 
our kind love. 



LETTER VIII. 

MRS. LINDSAY TO MABEL HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dear Mabel: — As the sick neighbour 
mentioned by Herbert continued to require my 
attendance, I awaited a letter from you before I 
pursued my subject ; and glad I am that I did 
so, as I should .not otherwise have known the 
precise nature of the difficulties in your sister's 
mind. That referring to the decrees of God 
being inconsistent with the invitations of the 
gospel, I will attempt to answer some other time, 
and confine myself to the one as regards "a 
bright experience." Here I must remark first, 
that there is in the new or spiritual life a great 
diversity of actings and feelings. The evidences 
of vitality are one time much more striking than 
at other times. Take two young animals, of 
which one is naturally strong and robust, fed 
with wholesome nutriment, and supplied with 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 45 

every invigorating influence of atmosphere and 
sunshine ; while another originally feeble, is 
dwarfed by starvation, stunted by neglect, and 
restricted from the genial air and healthful day : 
will not the growth of the former far outgo that 
of the latter? And yet life is in both, and the 
strength of the principle is in the direct ratio of 
the resistance overcome. So in the life of faith : 
some are joyful all their days, even in adverse 
circumstances, while others groan, being bur- 
thened ; and yet the state of these poor sighing 
mourners is as sure and as safe as that of their 
triumphant neighbours; nay, perhaps more so. 

Again, there are often mistakes made as to 
the true nature of the evidence of regeneration. 
Many date their Christian life from dreams, 
visions, voices, which at best are of doubtful in- 
terpretation, and neglect those marks that are 
laid down in the Word of God. I do not say 
that this is the case with aunt Nelly, whose 
w r orth I am well acquainted with ; but even ad- 
mitting this, my dear Edith must remember that 
the sanguine temperament of the coloured race 
has its effect in lending to their religion much 
of that ardour and love of excitement by which 
they are characterized : add to this the peculiar 
tenets of the Church to which Nelly belongs, 
where great stress is laid on a glowing account 
5* 



46 WHY AM I 

of spiritual attainments, and you will see at once 
that there is likely to be a strong bias in her 
mind towards enthusiasm, and the display of 
spiritual graces. Many in her communion pro- 
fess to be " happy," who can give but little rea- 
son for the feeling. May it not be an equally 
strong evidence of our religion, that we are 
doubtful of ourselves, and aware of the deceitful 
nature of the human heart? The sentence 
which by Mabel's account is expressive of your 
condition, was, when uttered by the Publican, 
considered by our Saviour a more hopeful sign 
than the loud professions and boastful self eulo- 
giums of the Pharisee. And the more we are 
convinced of the utter worthlessness of our best 
services, the higher will we prize that finished 
salvation which Christ offers to our acceptance. 
Joy is doubtless one of the fruits of the Spirit, 
and alike the Christian's privilege and duty; 
but sometimes this emotion is withheld for a 
time, that we may not be puffed up with spirit- 
ual pride, or think that our progress is greater 
than it really is. The sun shines just as clearly 
in the storms of December as in the spring-time 
of May, though the difference of the earth's 
position, and the intervening clouds prevent our 
feeling it so sensibly: so the Sun of Righteous- 
ness may be shining on our hearts, though as 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 47 

yet we have not caught the full radiance of his 
vivifying beams. 

Now for a word or two on the other perplex- 
ity. The invitations of the Saviour are univer- 
sal. " Go ye into all the world and preach the 
gospel to every creature" " He that believeth 
and is baptized shall be saved." Now, if any 
poor sinner venture on this warrant to put in a 
plea for mercy, we have the best authority for 
believing that he will not be rejected. "Lord, it 
is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there 
is room," is still as true as when first uttered. 
" Whosoever will, let him take of the waters of 
life freely ." "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come 
ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; 
come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine 
and milk, without money and without price" 
To all these invitations, add the consideration of 
the love which led our Saviour to those acts of 
obedience and suffering necessary to be done 
before the right of admission could be given ; for 
here, as at the feast of old, the wedding garment 
is provided for the guests. We are told u God 
so loved the world, that he gave his only begot- 
ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should 
not perish, but have everlasting life." Here, 
then, with this " unspeakable gift" of the Father, 
the willing sacrifice of the Son, and the effu- 



48 WHY AM I 

sion promised of the Holy Spirit, is there not 
encouragement for all to apply for the benefits of 
salvation ? 

But you reply — "If all are not elected, and 
only the elect can be saved, what is the use of 
applying, unless we know that we are of that 
favoured number?" To this I answer, that the 
decrees of election are not known, or to be made 
known in this world, except as they are verified 
in the renewed heart and evangelical life of 
Christians. The Apostle tells the Ephesians 
that they "were by nature children of wrath 
even as others ;" how could they tell they were 
elected, before they were "quickened," or made 
alive, "together with Christ?" Was there any 
indication, think you, that would distinguish 
betwen them and other Gentiles? The Apostle 
speaking of their former condition, says, "Where- 
fore remember, that ye being in times past Gen- 
tiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision 
by that which is called the circumcision in the 
flesh made by hands: that at that time ye were 
without Christ, being aliens from the common- 
wealth of Israel, and strangers from the cove- 
nants of promise, having no hope, and without 
God in the world." There is but one name 
given " under heaven" and "among men, whereby 
we must be saved;" and faith in that name is the 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 49 

only appropriating medium whereby we may 
partake in the benefits of salvation. We are 
not to be judged by God's secret purpose, but 
by "the deeds done in the body." And even 
if we come at a venture, like the lepers to the 
abandoned camp of the Syrians, or as the senti- 
ment in the hymn suggests, 

" I can but perish if I go, 
I am resolved to try; 
For if I stay away, I know 
I shall for ever die" — 

if we come in the name of Christ we shall 
receive a welcome ; "for" said he, "whosever 
cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." 
Then dear girl, instead of trying to unravel 
those "secret things which belong to God," let 
me beg of you to "make your own calling and 
election sure," by believing on the Saviour, and 
" walking in him." The enemy of God and man 
often employs these high doctrines, to perplex 
the minds of the seekers after religion ; that 
they may be drawn off from the first and primary 
question, "What must I do to be saved?" As 
you increase in knowledge, many things will be 
made plain, that now seem mysterious ; and with 
our limited acquaintance with these subjects, we 
cannot expect to clear up all mysteries, till we 
reach the upper sanctuary. Till then, let us 



50 WHY AM I 

receive every truth contained in Scripture, in 
the beautiful order and symmetry there observed : 
and as inspiration cannot contradict itself, let us 
rather mistrust our own powers, than reject a 
tenet clearly deducible from a source so exalted. 
We must remember also, that God's fore- 
ordination does not interfere with man's free 
agency ; I will illustrate my meaning from the 
calling of Zaccheus. We cannot doubt but that 
it was part of God's plan, that this man should 
be converted ; and yet there is not the slightest 
appearance of coercion or violence. He went to 
see Jesus, apparently from curiosity only; yet 
was the Saviour's call so efficacious, as to bring 
"salvation to his house," and cause the most 
thorough reformation in his practice. Often 
has it been realized in the experience of Chris- 
tians, 

" That those who went to scoff, remained to pray." 

And why was such an one awakened by a mes- 
sage, heard by persons similarly situated, with 
perfect indifference 1 Because God the Spirit 
in one case applied the truth, and not in the 
other. But to return to Zaccheus ; in his case 
the blessing of being in the path of Christ, the 
means of salvation, is very evident, even if his 
motive were of a low and worldly kind. So 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 51 

dear child, "acquaint now thyself with him, and 
be at peace; thereby good shall come unto 
thee." Be not discouraged in your heavenly 
course, when you least expect it, the Beloved 
will reveal himself to your soul. But I must 
close this long letter. Farewell ! From your 
affectionate aunt, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 



LETTER IX. 

FROM MRS. LINDSAY TO EDITH HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dear Niece: — In my last, I spoke of the 
free invitations given to sinners in Scripture; 
but from them, we must not imagine that the 
life of religion is one of inactivity and sloth. 
Thus we hear of the "strait gate, and narrow 
way;" that "the kingdom of heaven is gotten 
by force, and they that thrust men, take it," 
(margin), and we are directed to "grow in grace 
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ." The Apostle tells the Philip- 
pians, "Work out your own salvation with fear 
and trembling; for it is God that worketh in 
you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 
Here the precept is direct — work — that is, labour, 
use exertion, be in earnest in your endeavours ; 



52 WHY AM I 

for — and 0! what a consolation is this — "it is 
God that worketh in you ;" his Spirit originates 
every holy emotion, and strengthens every lan- 
guid desire. In the spiritual world, as in the 
temporal, "the hand of the diligent maketh 
rich." Then let me beg of you to be " a doer 
of the word" as James phrases it, " and not a 
forgetful hearer only." "The engrafted word," 
as the same Apostle styles it, is in the hands of 
the Holy Spirit the means of a soul's conversion. 
How important then, for those who are in 
health, to frequent the house of God, where this 
word is preached, and to " search the Scriptures" 
with diligence and care. There is unspeakable 
comfort, in every state of mind and body, to be 
drawn from Holy Writ. Here we find the 
sweetest strains of poetry, the most eloquent 
descriptions, the most vivid imagery, the most 
forcible reasoning, the sublimest ethics, the most 
instructive biography, the most interesting his- 
tory, the deepest tragedy, and the most ecstatic 
visions of future bliss. This book gives not 
only an account of the origin of our race, 
and the transactions most important in the 
annals of man, but it reveals to us our future 
destination, and points on the one hand, to the 
joys of heaven, on the other, warns us of the 
pains of hell. How important then, that this 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 53 

blessed Bible should be the man of our counsels ! 
Yes, let me be called the student of one book, if 
that book be the Scriptures — the woman with 
one idea, if that idea be salvation through the 
blood of the Lamb ! You will find it, my dear 
Edith, a good way, to read, statedly and continu- 
ously, the pages of inspiration. For upwards of 
thirty years, it has been my plan to divide the 
Bible into portions of about forty verses each ; 
which enables me to complete its perusal in two 
years : so that from my own experience, I can 
speak of the benefits arising from this syste- 
matic method. Prayer is a still more necessary 
aliment to the young disciple, it is indeed, 

" The Christian's vital breath, 
The Christian's native air." 

I doubt not, but that already you have realized 
the benefit of this communing with your God, 
pleading his promises, acknowledging his mer- 
cies, confessing your sins, and imploring his 
forgiveness. True it is, that there is not always 
the same freedom in our access to the throne of 
grace. Wandering thoughts, and foolish imagi- 
nations too often break in upon the most sacred 
acts of our devotions. But be not discouraged, 
when perfumed by the incense of our Advo- 
cate's intercession, your service will be accept- 
6 



54 WHY AM I 

ed ; " for him the Father heareth always. " 
There is one suggestion I would here make, my 
beloved girl — early accustom yourself to the prac- 
tice of social prayer. I do not mean to encour- 
age a false confidence, or unbecoming boldness ; 
but with your sisters and young associates, take 
every prudent opportunity to confess your 
Saviour in this particular. If this habit be not 
acquired in youth, it is seldom adopted in later 
years ; and though fluency in prayer is no test 
of piety, still it is often a great comfort to those 
at whose sick-beds our sex is so often called to 
minister, that we should be able to offer up our 
supplications in their behalf. For wives and 
mothers, the gift of prayer is very important, as 
it gives them an influence which no other talent 
or faculty can impart. Closely allied to the 
study of the Scriptures, and the practice of 
prayer, is the observance of the Sabbath. This 
may well be called, "the pearl of days," the 
jubilee of the soul. In it, we Jay aside our 
worldly employments and pleasures, to devote to 
God the consecrated hours. In public worship, 
in reading, meditation, and prayer, in Sabbath- 
school and Bible-class instruction, there is ample 
variety of employment. Even for those who, 
like you, are debarred from the services of the 
sanctuary, how much is there that is soothing 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 55 

and consoling, in the appropriate duties of the 
day ! What a happy foretaste does it afford of 
that "rest or Sabbatism that remaineth for the 
children of God !" And how should those to 
whom the earthly day of rest is a weariness, 
take heed lest death find them alike averse to, 
and unprepared for, the worship of that place 

u Where the assembly ne'er breaks up, 
The Sabbath ne'er shall end." 

May you and I make a part of this great com- 
pany, my dear niece ! Ever your affectionate 
aunt, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 



LETTER X. 

MABEL HARCOURT TO MRS. LINDSAY. 

Magnolia Grove. 

Joy • joy ? - niy dear aunt ! Will you not 
rejoice with us, that there is hope for the body, 
as well as light for the soul ? My dear Edith 
was much interested in your last two letters, and 
I could not but hope that they would have the 
effect of confirming her evidences of acceptance 
in the Saviour; when to my great delight, I was 
informed by my father, that he had met with a 
clergyman on the way to Cuba, (where his phy- 



56 WHY AM I 

sician had ordered him to spend the winter,) and 
being much pleased with his manners and 
appearance, had asked him to spend a few days 
at his house. This indeed proved a visit of 
mercy to my sister. The similarity of their cir- 
cumstances increased her interest in his conver- 
sation, and he was so patient with her objections, 
so simple in his language, and so evangelical in 
his views, that one by one, all her doubts 
vanished, and she rejoiced "in hope of the 
glory of God." Such has been the reaction of 
the mind, on the corporeal system, that every 
good symptom has increased, while her nervous 
restlessness has proportionably diminished ; and 
she has become able to ride out daily, which has 
the best effect on her appetite and sleeping. 
The delight which her convalescence has occa- 
sioned, I leave you to imagine. All the children 
are overjoyed to be once more admitted to her 
room ; and my mother cannot sufficiently ex- 
press her gratitude, that her treasure has been 
restored to her. With Miss Green, it is a source 
of constant thankfulness, that while both have 
received spiritual benefit, the life so dear to her 
has been restored. But to no one is it more a 
matter of transport than to my brother Edwin. 
It seems that a revival of religion had occurred in 
his college a short time before his return home 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 57 

for the vacation, by which he was much im- 
pressed. But on his arrival at the paternal man- 
sion, he resolved to throw aside all melancholy 
thoughts, and enjoy himself as usual. To all 
these determinations, however, he found it 
impossible to adhere; the sight of his sister's 
sufferings, the change in Miss Green, and the 
subdued state of the family at large, prevented 
him from banishing his convictions as he intend- 
ed, and even before poor Edith could see her 
way clearly, he, with his usual ardour, was 
exulting in his Saviour. But I have not yet 
spoken of my father. It is delightful to see him 
surrounded by his children, when he casts aside 
the cares of his engrossing profession, and par- 
ticipates in our conversation, or joins with his 
sonorous manly voice, in our hymns of praise. 
To my poor exertions to promote the family com- 
fort, he attributes vastly more merit than they 
deserve ; and the other day he placed on my 
finger a ring, which had belonged to his mother, 
and said, "I am not in favour of ornaments, 
Mabel, for young Christians, but this is a 
memento long- cherished, and given as a mark of 
my approbation. Should you ever wish to ask 
a favour from your father, place that in his hand 
and you can scarcely be refused." " Thank you, 
dear father," I replied, "perhaps some day I 
6* 



58 WHY AM I 

may indeed require my talisman ; till then, I will 
guard the diamond from vulgar eyes, and wear 
it next my heart." Apropos to ornaments- 
dear aunt, will you in your next give us your 
ideas on that subject ? Edwin has taken a great 
liking to Henry Harrison, the poor boy I men- 
tioned as so attentive to Miss Green's instruc- 
tions in the Bible class. This youth is a friend- 
less orphan, excepting that Mr. Morton has been 
very kind to him, and allowed him to participate 
in the instructions which the family received 
from Miss Green ; Edwin has been teaching 
him Latin, ever since his return home, and 
declares him to be a boy of uncommon talent. 
He is very anxious that my father should assist 
his young protege to obtain a classical education; 
and for this purpose, has offered to relinquish 
a part of his allowance, and even sell his horse, 
which has been such a favourite with him. 

"He seems so pious," said the young advocate 
the other day; "and will make a capital 
preacher." 

"Thereby spoiling a good blacksmith," re- 
turned my father ; " but I cannot refuse you just 
now, if the demand is any thing reasonable; so 
we will send the boy to school for a year, and 
see how he behaves. Remember, I promise 
nothing further, till we have an opportunity of 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 59 

judging of his abilities, as well as his conduct, 
for I have no idea of encouraging a blockhead 
to mount the pulpit, if he is ever so good." Ed- 
win made suitable acknowledgments to my 
father, and then hastened to tell Henry, whose 
gratitude seemed to know no bounds. Miss 
Morton — the same young lady that likes to ar- 
range her curls — begged to know whether you 
thought a person might not be a good Christian 
and yet attend piaces of public amusement; and 
Edwin says he wishes Herbert would write 
something for him about revivals : so you see 
there are plenty of questions for you both to 
answer. 

Farewell, my dear aunt ; let not distance 
either of time or space make you and Herbert 
forget your affectionate niece 

MABEL HARCOURT. 



LETTER XL 

MRS. LINDSAY TO MABEL HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dearest Mabel: — The tidings contained in 
your last, are indeed joyful ones, and called forth 
the warmest emotions of gratitude in both Her- 



60 WHY AM I 

bert and myself. What responsibility devolves 
on those of your number who have been permit- 
ted to enjoy a hope so full of immortality as that 
of the gospel! 

But I hasten to reply to some of the inquiries 
which your letter contains, and will begin with 
that relative to dress and ornaments. 

Before we commence this subject, which has 
attracted the attention of so large a portion of 
mankind, as well as womankind, let me remind 
you of its origin. As the child's hymn ex- 
presses it, 

"The art of dress did ne'er begin, 
Till Eve, our mother, learned to sin" — 

Should not this consideration teach us the folly, 
yea, even criminality of those who attach so 
much importance, and expend so much time and 
money on this standing memorial of the fall? 
The love of dress seems to have been one of 
woman's besetments from a very early period. 
Deborah represents Sisera's mother as expecting 
among the spoils of her son "a prey of divers 
colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, 
of divers colours of needlework on both sides:" 
and Isaiah describes the wardrobes of the daugh- 
ters of Zion in the most graphic manner. " In 
that day the Lord will take away the bravery 
(in the old English sense, finery) of the ankle- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? Q\ 

bands, and the cauls (or caps of net work) and 
the crescents, or little rnoons. The pendants 
and the bracelets, and the veils, the caps, and 
the ankle-chains, and the girdles, and the houses 
of breath (meaning probably perfume boxes, or 
smelling bottles, worn at the girdle) and the 
amulets, the rings, and the nose-jewels, the holi- 
day dresses, and the mantles, and the robes, and 
the purses, the mirrors, and the tunics, and the 
turbans, and the veils." (The veil here spoken 
of is supposed to be the large one covering all 
the other garments, and therefore differing from 
the smaller one mentioned before.) — Alexander's 
version. Of all these decorations, the Jewish 
women were to be deprived, as a punishment 
for their haughtiness and pride. 

It was this tendency to love of dress, which 
induced the Quakers to lay down regulations 
for the apparel of their members. But it may 
be doubted whether their method was a good 
one; as much vanity may lurk under a plain 
bonnet, as shines out in plumes and artificials ; 
and Quaker silks and linens were always 
remarkable for the fineness of their texture. In- 
deed, the fact that both this denomination, and that 
of the Methodists, have virtually abandoned this 
part of their system, seems to prove that it has 



62 WHY AM I 

not worked advantageouly. Nor is it easy to 
Jay down laws which shall be of universal 
obligation, on a point like this; where slovenli- 
ness or eccentricity is as much to be shunned 
as the other extreme of costliness and show. 
But the Christian has a rule, which must in- 
clude every particular of conduct, and what does 
it say? 

"And why take ye thought for raiment? 
Consider the lilies of the field how they grow." 

"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled 
about many things!" 

"Be not conformed to this world." 

"Happy is he that condemneth not himself in 
that thing which he alloweth." 

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or what- 
soever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 

"I will therefore, in like manner also, that 
women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with 
shame-facedness and sobriety; not with broider- 
ed hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but 
(which becometh women professing godliness) 
with good works." 

" Whose adorning, let it not be that outward 
adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of 
gold or of putting on of apparel; but let it be 
the hidden man of the heart, in that which is 



A PRESBYTERIAN? g3 

not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek 
and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of 
great price." 

"Love not the world, neither the things which 
are in the world. If any man love the world, 
the love of the Father is not in him." 

The first, sixth and seventh of these texts, 
explicitly condemn over carefulness, or unneces- 
sary expense in dress. Doubtless, the Apostle 
may have had reference to some idolatrous prac- 
tices, in some of his directions; but the scope of 
the whole, assuredly is, to discourage outward 
adorning :" — while the third precept, though 
originally called forth by an ill-judged attention 
to household cares, may well be applied to many 
a daughter of Eve, whose dress is too much con- 
formed to this world, and who alloweth herself 
many things which her sober judgment must 
condemn. Of a similar spirit, is the last quota- 
tion, which as an inordinate love of dress is 
plainly the love of the world, declares that the 
love of the Father is incompatible with it. Then 
for the fifth, that comprehensive rule of Chris- 
tian action — how can an extravagant or elaborate 
style of attire fulfil its requisition ? We are told 
by the Apostle, speaking to the Corinthians, 
"For ye are bought with a price, therefore 
glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, 



64 WHY AM I 

which are God's." Is the decking out, and 
pampering of the body, the best means of pro- 
moting the glory of God? Or is "the temple of 
the Holy Ghost" to be made a shrine for self- 
idolatry, and the gratification of vanity ? But 
this subject assumes fresh interest, from the idea 
of stewardship in the Christian life. The mere 
outlay of money, though far from the only evil, 
appears in this day of the Church's necessities, 
almost like defrauding the Lord's treasury of 
what is there so much required, to be lavished 
in the low and degrading indulgence of personal 
embellishment. The Apostle appears to hint at 
this — but (which becometh women professing 
godliness) with good works ; as much as to say, 
that a love of dress will lead to disbursements, 
that might better be employed in works of 
charity. This, however, will come in view, 
when discussing the consecration of our sub- 
stance to the Lord; a branch of Christian morals 
which I propose to enlarge on, hereafter. Let 
us therefore, throwing aside all estimate of pecu- 
niary cost, look at the other effects of this de- 
basing tendency. What uneasy feelings if 
surpassed by others ; what a dread of wearing 
any thing unfashionable or common ; what fear 
lest our habiliments might be injured by a 
polluting touch ? Would that this were all ! 



A PRESBYTERIAN? g5 

What meanness and almost dishonesty is some- 
times practised to obtain distinction in dress ; 
and what desecration of sacred things, when the 
hours of public worship are employed in 
making out an inventory of our neighbour's 
dress ! 

Do not, however, suppose that I wish you to 
be careless of your person, or indifferent to neat- 
ness, and even correct taste, in your dress. The 
exhortation, " provide things honest in the sight 
of all men," must not be forgotten ; and while 
mankind judges so much by externals, it is not 
doing justice to ourselves to neglect our appear- 
ance. Among the excellencies of Solomon's 
virtuous woman, it is recorded, "She is not 
afraid of the snow for her household : for all her 
household are clothed with double garments, 
[mar gin). She maketh herself coverings of 
tapestry ; her clothing is silk and purple." As 
my experience on this subject is limited, not 
having been blessed with daughters of my own, 
I applied to my friend Mrs. Beauchamp, (who, as 
you well know, has tenderly reared a large 
family of girls) for her sentiments on this diffi- 
cult point. She replied as follows : " It is 
indeed no easy matter to map out a prescribed 
system, for the regulation of a young lady's dress. 
The love of pleasing is so much a tendency of 
7 



QQ WHY AM I 

our nature, that we are prone to extremes in its 
indulgence. I never wished to mortify my 
children, by clothing them otherwise, than as 
their station seemed to demand ; but a great deal 
may be done to discourage a love of finery, and 
to direct the attention to higher objects. Then 
there are particulars which may be laid hold of, 
while the whole appearance is neat and even 
fashionable. Thus, not one of my numerous 
progeny while under my care, ever had a ruffle 
round their dresses, wore a feather, or an artificial 
flower outside the bonnet: face-flowers as they 
are called, have crept in, I acknowledge. Then 
as to jewelry, rings are such ancient symbols, 
and so necessary to the young engagee, that I 
could not altogether banish them; and breast- 
pins have an appearance of utility; but ear rings 
I never tolerated, always declaring that the nose- 
jewel was required to complete the set." 

Let me advise you, my dear child, against a 
slavish adherence to fashion. Never be the first 
to adopt a novelty in dress, and never counte- 
nance one which is inimical to modesty or inju- 
rious to health. Always dress within your 
means, and never run in debt for an article of 
clothing. The paltry pleasure of display is 
dearly purchased by the moral degradation in- 
separable from the idea of wearing what cannot 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 67 

be truly said to be your own. Akin to this is 
the school-girl practice of borrowing dresses, 
collars, &c. from their companions. These pre- 
cautions duly taken, I own that I love to see a 
youthful form in a garb well suited to its age 
and class, and in conformity with the rules of 
taste and elegance, always remembering that 

<e loveliness 



Needs not the foreign aid of ornament, 
But is, when unadorned, adorned the most." 

Would that mothers of the present day were 
as anxious to secure for their children the spot- 
less robe of the Redeemer's righteousness, as 
they are to obtain for them that outward decora- 
tion which may attract attention, and gratify 
maternal vanity, by calling forth the praises of 
beholders ! When I have seen some of these 
over-dressed little puppets, it reminded me of 
victims garlanded for sacrifice ; and how often 
are the best and purest feelings of woman's na- 
ture debased and turned aside by the propensity 
thus early inculcated! 

There is deep irony in that work of Carlyle's, 
which represents our species as a clothes-wear- 
ing animal; and too many seem to forget that 
those bodies we cherish and adorn so fondly, 
will soon be left to moulder in corruption ; while 
the jewels contained in these caskets of clay will 



68 WHY AM I 

either glitter in the Redeemer's diadem for ever, 
or be " consumed of the fire;" and called " repro- 
bate silver, because the Lord hath rejected 
them." Before I conclude this long homily — 
too long perhaps already for your patience — I 
would direct your attention to an evil in which 
expenditure in dress and subservience to fashion 
involve their less wealthy votaries. I mean the 
absorbing desire to rival those whose means are 
more ample in the richness of their appearance ; 
thus sacrificing time, and giving the first place 
in their minds to a pursuit so secondary in its 
importance ! If they succeed by their ingenuity 
in trimming and stitching, they are called good 
economists, whereas they are more lavish in 
time — that most valuable commodity — than those 
whose wealth allows the aid of milliners and 
dressmakers. How much to be honoured is that 
independence of mind which is not ashamed of 
an appearance in accordance with one's circum- 
stances, and which, without a breach of the 
tenth commandment, can bear the scrutinizing 
glance of the fashionable belle in all her trickery ! 
Think not, by these latter remarks, that I 
would discourage that ingenuity and taste which 
enable some young ladies to arrange their ward- 
robe to the best advantage, or that I would 
undervalue the use of the needle. It is only an 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 69 

undue extreme I would warn you against ; as 
for sewing, I know too well its sedative, quieting 
effects on restless irritability and excited nerves, 
not to appreciate an employment so purely femi- 
nine. Nor would I utterly condemn that orna- 
mental use of the needle to which so much time 
is given. Worsted work is better than scandal, 
and crochet knitting much to be preferred to 
entire idleness. But for rational beings, plain 
sewing — especially if the social circle be enli- 
vened by conversation, or charmed with the 
reading aloud of some good author, by one of the 
party — presents a resource and a gratification, 
which none, save a woman, can rightly under- 
stand. But I must bring my interminable letter 
to a close. Herbert begs leave to suggest that 
his last letter remains unanswered; he unites 
with me in love to all your circle, not forgetting 
the dear convalescent. Your affectionate aunt, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 



LETTER XII. 

EDWIN HARCOURT TO MRS. LINDSAY. 

Magnolia Grove. 

My Dear Aunt: — It does not seem to me 
quite fair that Mabel should engross you and my 

7* 



70 WHY AM I J 

cousin so completely, and I therefore announced 
to her my intention of answering your last letter 
to her myself. I should have preferred writing 
to Herbert, but I cannot induce her to show me 
his letters, though what he can have to say 
to her of so mysterious a nature I know not. 
Besides, your strictures on dress, though very 
excellent for girls, do not apply to the nobler 
sex ; however, I will hold a conversation with 
you in the only way our distance allows, if only 
to thank you for the pains you have taken with 
our " amiable eldest" — who did not always de- 
serve the epithet — as well as for the interest you 
have shown in our welfare, both spiritual and 
temporal. I fear you will put down the paper 
in disgust at your rattle-brained correspondent ; 
but dear aunt, do bear with me. I am in such 
spirits that I fear they run away with me ; for 
had you seen the change in our family, you 
would not wonder at my elevation. When I 
returned, soon after Mabel's arrival, all w r as 
melancholy, apprehension, and gloom; now 
every face is clothed in smiles, every heart 
shouts aloud with gladness. Nor is our mirth 
"as the crackling of thorns under a pot;" the 
least of our mercies is the recovered health of 
our sweet Edith, and that is no trifling one, to 
those who love her so dearly; though cast in the 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 71 

shade by the spiritual benefits which accompany 
it. How poor, how insignificant do earthly 
things appear when contrasted with things eter- 
nal ! With what different feelings shall I return 
to my studies ! I left college determined in my 
opposition to holy things, and hoping to escape 
from the torment of my own convictions : I 
return to it triumphing in my precious Re- 
deemer. I hope you are interested about Henry. 
So far, he stands the ordeal to admiration, and I 
am not afraid that he will falsify my partial pre- 
dictions. I hope next vacation to see cousin 
Herbert here. Will not you and he pay us a 
visit? just to rub up the acquaintance with 
us younger ones. 

But I was never famed for writing long letters, 
and this epistle is addressed to one whom I 
hardly remember, in appearance at least. Pray 
put my cousin in mind of what he is to tell me 
about revivals, and believe me your affectionate 
nephew, 

EDWIN HARCOURT. 

P. S. — Mabel thinks this rather a poor speci- 
men of my epistolary powers ; but I shall send 
it, nevertheless. Perhaps I shall improve in my 
correspondence if you will only try me a little 
while ; but I tell you what it is, not every young 
man is as good and as talented as Herbert. I 



72 WHY AM I 

mean to study at college as hard as rocks, and 
above all to endeavour to keep up my consis- 
tency as a Christian ; for the communion is to 
be held next Sabbath, and we shall have the 
privilege of sitting down together at the table of 
the Lord. Happily, my room-mate is an old, 
steady disciple, and the late revival has altered 
the face of things in college. Once more, fare- 
well! 



LETTER XIII. 

MRS. LINDSAY TO EDWIN HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dear Nephew: — So far from laying " down 
the paper in disgust," I felt very glad to receive 
your short, though welcome letter ; and as the 
office of lecturer seems to be given me by com- 
mon consent, I will send you a few hints as to 
your demeanour in college. This is at all times 
a trying place for the young, where often, too 
often, " shipwreck is made of a good conscience," 
and all the precious lessons of home are forgot- 
ten or disregarded ; but it is especially dangerous 
for one like you, of ardent temperament, inex- 
perienced, and rich. Nor do you return there 
as you left it ; you are now a professor of reli- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 73 

gion, and in this character your influence will be 
highly beneficial, or decidedly injurious. I re- 
joice in the determination you avow to endeavour 
after consistency, and doubt not but that the de- 
cided piety of your room-mate will materially 
assist you in preserving the Christian name un- 
tarnished ; stilJ I must inform you that all human 
strength is perfect weakness, and that without 
the aid of a higher power, your best resolutions 
will avail but little. Be humble, then, in the 
estimate of your own ability to withstand tempta- 
tion, and seek in prayer that assistance which 
you need to maintain your integrity. 

Let me entreat you to be cautions what com- 
pany you keep ; the boon companion, the comic 
jester, and the dissipated associate will rejoice if 
by any means they can entice you to share in 
their convivial meetings, and it is only by a firm 
but modest determination that you will be ena- 
bled to escape their devices to lead you from the 
path of duty. At once take your stand with the 
steady and zealous professors of religion ; remem- 
bering that "he that walketh with wise men 
shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be 
destroyed." Let every means of grace find in 
you a faithful participator, and never be ashamed 
of the name of Christian. 

Temperance societies have done much for 



74 WHY AM I 

young men, in the present day, appealing as 
they do, to that social principle which is so often 
misapplied to the destruction of youth, and giv- 
ing courage by the power of numbers, to each 
individual member. Join, therefore, one of these 
associations, that is, if you have moral firmness 
enough to adhere to their requisitions; for a 
broken pledge is an evidence of weakness, 
almost hopeless. As you seemed to think that 
my former letter on dress and ornaments did 
not apply to the ruder sex, I will here enlarge 
on an idea therein adverted to, which certainly 
belongs to the class of masculine duties — I mean 
the consecration of substance to the Lord. This 
principle was distinctly recognized in the Old 
Testament Church, in the tithes and offerings 
which were then enjoined ; and we cannot 
doubt that it is still binding on the conscience, 
though differing in its application. Nor are the 
objects now to be promoted, less important than 
in the days of the Mosaic ritual. If the taber- 
nacle then demanded the contributions of the 
faithful, have not we laid upon us the high 
behest of going into all the world and preaching 
the gospel to every creature? Were the 
Hebrews directed, "take heed to thyself that 
thou forsake not the Levite, as long as thou 
livest upon the earth;" and have not we the 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 75 

precept, "that the labourer is worthy of his 
hire ?" Time will not permit me to discuss this 
subject as its importance requires ; I merely 
wish to call your attention to it, as to a truth 
which the church is only beginning to compre- 
hend and obey, but which is intimately connect- 
ed with millennial glory. "The silver and the 
gold is the Lord's," and when " a pure offer- 
ing" shall be poured into the treasury of the 
Church, there will no longer be complaints of 
debt and discouragement in our Missionary 
Societies, and other benevolent operations; but 
with united effort and ample means at command, 
the best resources will be brought to bear on the 
mighty fields that "are white already to har- 
vest." The portion of their income which 
Christians are to give, must be left to their own 
convictions of duty. A tenth is clearly the least 
that will be accepted, and many no doubt ought 
to give in a larger ratio. If the Saviour's direc- 
tion to "gather up the fragments that remain, 
that nothing be lost," were combined with the 
prophet's exhortation, "seekest thou great things 
for thyself? seek them not," — how much un- 
necessary waste would be prevented, and how 
much happier and less cumbered would pro- 
fessors be ! In the apportionment of your sacred 
fund, which I should advise you statedly to set 



76 WHY AM I 

apart, at a given period, in accordance with the 
spirit of 1 Cor. xvi. 2, let me recommend first 
the support of the gospel in the congregation 
where you worship ; next a contribution to all 
the Boards of the Church ; not forgetting private 
almsgiving to worthy objects ; nor omitting 
those more general modes of doing good, in 
which as a man and a citizen you are expected 
to co-operate. But I will not tire you with a 
longer lecture just now. Write often to me, or 
Herbert, or both ; and be assured of the deep 
interest we take in your welfare. May you, 
while acquiring literary and classical attain- 
ments, " grow in grace and in the knowledge of 
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be 
glory both now and for ever. Amen !" 
Your affectionate aunt, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 



LETTER XIV. 

MABEL HARCOURT TO MRS. LINDSAY. 

Magnolia Grove. 

My Dear Aunt: — Edwin's letter informed 
you of the privilege which was graciously per- 
mitted us, at this eventful era in the family his- 
tory. You and Herbert were wanting, or else 
my cup would have been full to overflowing. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 77 

Dr. Firmin, our good old minister, seemed to 
have renewed his age; and all the services were 
of the most solemn kind. His address to the 
young communicants, as they were called up 
round the pulpit, was most impressive ; among 
the circle, our party — that is, Miss Green, Edith, 
Edwin and Henry Harrison — appeared to be 
deeply affected. I feared poor Edith would 
find the excitement too much for her strength, 
but she bore it better than I had expected. 
My mother felt able to attend, and her 
sweet, and still youthful looking face, contrasted 
well with my father's manly countenance, ani- 
mated with delight, which was chastened by 
solemnity. Indeed the whole scene was worthy 
of a painter's hand. The white-haired pastor, 
with his low tremulous tones, and lifted hands, 
giving thanks to God that "his mercy is from 
everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear 
him, and his righteousness unto children's child- 
ren;" the little cedar church with its simple 
neatness, that asked not the aid of paint or gild- 
ing; and the congregation comprising not only 
all the respectable families of the neighbourhood, 
but the usual proportion of coloured people, who 
always throng to the "big meetings," made a 
foreground to the picture, suiting well, with the 
glimpses through the windows and open doors, 
8 



78 WHY AM I 

of the tall shade trees, under which the horses 
and carriages were fastened; the creek flowing 
gently in the distance; and the spring, that 
favourite resort of children and nurses. When 
service was over, we returned through the deep 
woods, where silence reigned, in this time of 
sunshine and heat. Our hearts seemed too full 
for words, and little was said till we returned to 
the house. In the evening, as Edith and I were 
sitting together in our favourite little room, to 
which I used to give the imposing title of bou- 
doir, old Nelly made her appearance. "Bless 
the Lord! my young misses," she exclaimed; 
" bless the Lord for his goodness ! It did my 
old heart good to-day, to see master and mistress, 
and master Edwin, and you both, and the 
teacher, and that other young boy, all partaking 
together, at the Lord's table. Oh ! my young 
misses, it is better to have a seat there, than to 
be in company with the grandest and the 
gayest." As you may suppose, we did not dis- 
dain the gratulations of this warm disciple ; and 
I, for my part, felt humbled, as she went on, in 
her own peculiar style, and with the glowing 
enthusiasm of her race, to tell what the Lord 
had done for her soul. 

I was much obliged to you, dear aunt, for 
your letter on dress. May Edith and I be 



A PRESBYTERIAN! 79 

enabled to preserve the happy medium between 
foolish expenditure and indifference or slovenli- 
ness! 

Maria Morton, the second daughter, seemed 
very attentive at the communion; and lately 
observed to me — "Julia's obstacle to piety, is 
her love of company and amusements; mine is 
a taste for novel reading. Perhaps, when your 
aunt tells my sister about the first, she will say 
something about my propensity also." — I shall 
myself be glad to have your opinion on this sub- 
ject. Just now, it would be no sacrifice to me 
to relinquish all the range of fiction; but I know 
my father would be unwilling that his daughters 
should be ignorant of books, which have become 
"part and parcel," as he would say, of Eng- 
lish literature — Shakspeare for instance. But 
I must bid you farewell, as I am quite busy 
preparing Edwin's things for his departure. 
Your praises of plain sewing came just in time 
to quicken my idle fingers; for, as you may 
remember, it was not my favourite pursuit, 
though, thanks to your instructions, I am much 
improved in the use of my needle. Dear fel- 
low ! I trust he may be kept from the tempta • 
tions to which he is exposed. How favoured 
was Herbert's position, where the weekly return 
home brightened up every holy emotion, and 



80 WHY AM I 

gave him strength for every trial ! Yours, ever, 
my own dear aunt, 

MABEL HARCOURT. 



LETTER XV. 

MRS. LINDSAY TO MABEL HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dear Mabel: — How gratifying it was to 
receive the details contained in your last, I need 
not tell you. Were but the impressions which 
such scenes suggest, as permanent as they are 
powerful, the question about amusements would 
be speedily answered ! But I will reply to 
your query more systematically. Perhaps there 
is no amusement so fascinating to young people 
as dancing. From the time that the baby skirts 
are held out by the tiny hands, to figure in the 
polka, to the more matured taste for waltzes 
or quadrilles, it sometimes seems as if our sex 
were bitten by the tarantula ; even health is 
pleaded as an argument in its behalf; and girls 
are sent to dancing-school, to polish their man- 
ners, and give grace to their persons. Perhaps 
this part of the subject is less exceptionable than 
any other ; though there is little doubt that in 
these seminaries of Terpsichore, a foundation is 
often laid of infant vanity and incipient flirtation. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 81 

The great misfortune is that those who say A 
must say B also, and all the other letters. So 
the young lady, who has been taught to caper 
and pirouette at dancing-school, is anxious to dis- 
play the accomplishment at balls and parties ; 
where the lessons of coquetry imbibed at prac- 
ticings with a baby partner, are extended and 
improved, with beaux and dandies. Then 
comes the long train of evils, physical and 
moral. The crowded assembly, fraught with 
mephitic gas; the whirl, the heat, the excite- 
ment of the dance ; the sudden transition to the 
outer air; the exhausted frame, the midnight 
vigil, and the morning's lengthened slumbers ; 
the pride of success, the mortification of neglect, 
the triumph over competitors, the lavishness of 
expense ill-afforded, or the consciousness of time 
misspent. In what state of mind is the excited 
belle, when the time comes for evening devotion ? 
Is her mind, just passing from the frothy compli- 
ments, and foolish remarks of her companions, in 
a fit state to commune with her Maker? Would 
any of us wish to end our lives in a ball-room ? 
Or could we deliberately implore Jehovah's bless- 
ing, ere we engage in such a pursuit? I know 
that some persons who will not go to public balls, 
yet patronize dancing in private parties ; and 
think that a carpet on the floor, and the piano as 
8* 



82 WHY AM I 

an accompaniment, so alter the face of things, as 
to take away all that is objectionable. To such, 
I would say, " taste not, touch not, handle not," 
lest the propensity should " grow with what it 
feeds upon." I admit that a graceful carriage, 
and an upright way of holding oneself, is very 
desirable ; but Calisthenics might, I should sup- 
pose, answer all this purpose, without the dan- 
ger of evil communication, and worldly asso- 
ciates. As regards the promotion of health, I 
will show you a more excellent way for the 
attainment of that most desirable object. 

It is to be lamented, that in this country the 
idea of refinement should be thought to involve 
indolence. How useless, as a class, are the 
young ladies who aspire to be fashionable ! 
Little do they realize, or prepare, for the cares 
and responsibilities of married life — their usual 
lot — and badly are they fitted to enact the parts 
of wives, mothers, or housekeepers. When the 
thoughtless girl marries, and plunges into the 
difficulties of domestic life, too often her health 
gives way, under the annoyances to which s-he is 
exposed; if not, her spirits or temper is almost sure 
to suffer; while her husband is too often morti- 
fied at omissions, that seriously interfere with 
his comfort, and that of his guests. The cure 
for all these difficulties, and the means of pro- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 83 

r 

curing exercise tenfold more healthy than 
dancing, will be discovered in an early acquaint- 
ance with the old fashioned duty of family 
superintendence. How pleasant is it for a 
mother to receive aid in her many cares, from a 
young and active daughter, and how is the 
benefit repaid, by the skill and experience such 
assistance bestows ! 

For the recommendation of this branch of 
knowledge there is high authority. In the des- 
cription of a virtuous woman it is especially 
enumerated among her excellencies, that "She 
looketh well to the ways of her household, and 
eateth not the bread of idleness;" and the Apos- 
tle, when directing the conduct of young women, 
exhorts that they should "guide the house," 
or as in the parallel passage in Titus, that they 
be "keepers at home." Milton too, while detail- 
ing the charms of "all-accomplished Eve," tells 
us that 

-" nothing lovelier can be found 



In woman, than to study household good :" 

certainly nothing can' be more necessary, in 
this country, where servants are so independent 
of their employers ; and where so frequently 
the lady of the house is called on, to act as cook, 



84 WHY AM I 

chambermaid, or nurse. Even in the slave 
States, a knowledge of housewifery is indispen- 
sable, to enable the mistress to detect omissions 
of duty. But I have rather digressed from the 
original subject of my remarks. Theatrical per- 
formances are so fascinating, that it perhaps re- 
quires a greater effort to relinquish them, than 
any other amusements. Yet is there none so 
deleterious; the. mock prayers, the oaths, the 
immodest inuendoes, the exposure of person, the 
desecration of holy things, must shock the mind 
of delicacy and religion. And yet the theatre is 
called the school of morals. Fine morality! 
where parental authority is held up to derision, 
where the nuptial vow is so often trifled with, 
and the rant of bombast is substituted for wit or 
sentiment. Of course, the opera is no less to be 
condemned, though the allurements of music 
and attitudes are added to scenic decorations. 
Cards are deservedly viewed with detestation, 
by those who think that life has employ- 
ments more obligatory than killing time ; nor is 
back-gammon exempt from the difficulty of 
being also what is called a game of chance, 
though less frequently used for gambling trans- 
actions. Mason's Essay on the use of the Lot, 
in the Christian Magazine, will place this branch 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 85 

of amusement in an aspect which cannot be 
attractive to a tender conscience. 

Happy is it for you, my beloved girl, that 
you have learned to find pleasure in pursuits so 
widely different from those I have been review- 
ing; and that you have been taught the truth of 
the wise man's declaration : — " Happy is the 
man that findeth wisdom, and the man that 
getteth understanding. For the merchandize of 
it is better than the merchandize of silver, and 
the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more 
precious than rubies ; and all the things thou 
canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 
Length of days is in her right hand, and in her 
left riches and honour. Her ways are ways of 
pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She 
is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her ; 
and happy is every one that retaineth her." 
How often is this declaration literally fulfilled, 
in the health, prosperity, and reputation with 
which consistent piety presents its followers; 
and if, for wise purposes the Lord afflicts them 
with the loss of any of these blessings, how 
cheerfully can they, with their Father's favour, 
forego the choicest good which earth can give. 
One of the greatest sources of mischief, belong- 
ing to a love of amusement, consists in the dis- 



86 WHY AM I 

gust "for all the dull pursuits of civil life" 
which it induces. The affairs of every-day 
existence, the employments of home, the im- 
provement of the mind, appear to the votary of 
pleasure, vapid and uninteresting occupations ; 
and these persons resemble those who have been 
fed on the richest dainties, till the taste for 
wholesome aliment is lost. Viewed from a 
deathbed, or the climes of glory, the glare and 
tinsel of earthly pleasures are seen in their true 
colours, as worthless and dearly bought; unlike 
the simple, yet heartfelt satisfaction, accompany- 
ing the steady, faithful discharge of our oft 
recurring duties, which turns them into enjoy- 
ments. 

But I must not let my love of lecturing carry 
me too far for your patience to follow me. 
May we, my dear child, never be classed with 
those who are "lovers of pleasure more than 
lovers of God;" lest we verify the irony of the 
wise man, "Rejoice O young man in thy youth, 
and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy 
youth ; and walk in the ways of thy heart, and 
in the sight of thine eyes ; but know thou that 
for all these things, God will bring thee into 
judgment." Thus prays your affectionate aunt, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 87 



LETTER XVI. 

MRS. LINDSAY TO MABEL HARCOUHT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dear Mabel: — Having in my last, given 
you my opinion of the fashionable amusements 
of the day, I now will consider your other ques- 
tion, about novel-reading. This most fascinating 
kind of literature is now, by means of the cheap 
mode of printing, made more prevalent than at 
any former period. The steamboats, and rail- 
road cars, are besieged by a crowd of urchins, 
each recommending their books ; and thus, the 
French novelists, as well as the author of Jack 
Shepherd and kindred works, are disseminating 
their baleful influence to an unprecedented ex- 
tent. It seems particularly bad, that travellers 
should be exposed to this contagion ; because, 
having generally left their worldly cares behind 
them, one would suppose that their minds would 
be accessible to the charms of nature, as seen in 
our mountain views, and lake or river scenery ; 
and that the transition from their warehouses 
and counting-rooms, would give double beauty 
to the wonders they behold. But no ! the High- 
lands of the Hudson, the Valley of the Connec- 
ticut, or the majestic Ohio, with its wooded 



88 WHY AM I 

banks, and fertile islands, has not sufficient 
attraction to call off the tourist from the story of 
fictitious grief, or unreal bliss. 

In estimating the bad effects of novel-reading, 
the time consumed on them does not cover the 
whole extent of the evil. A taste for mental 
excitement is acquired, which makes more use- 
ful studies appear uninteresting, and unfits the 
mind for healthy action. Where this terrible 
hankering exists, every work of fancy however 
unworthy of perusal, is eagerly devoured, the 
craving still increasing with its gratification; 
till the real trials of life, the hourly sufferings of 
unromantic poverty, nay, even the dread con- 
cerns of eternity are disregarded. What then 
is to remedy the mischief? A total exclusion of 
works of fiction may seem the easiest plan, but 
is this desirable ? Is the imagination to be 
curbed so closely, as not to be allowed the 
smallest indulgence ? oris it possible, in this day 
of relaxation of parental authority, to carry out 
an absolute prohibition of novel-reading ? I 
applied to Mrs. Beauchamp again, for her expe- 
rience.— -"In my case," my dear friend, "she 
replied, I have rather sought to regulate, than 
entirely to exclude from my young people the 
class of books to which you refer* In many 
families where the parents have forbidden novels 



A PRESBYTERIAN? gg 

altogether, or burned them when found, it has 
led, not only to habits of deception, a thousand 
times worse than the first offence, but has pre- 
cluded all selection in the works to be read. 
All clandestine actions I have sought to prevent, 
and therefore I have allowed, sparingly indeed, 
and as illustrative of history, or in connection 
with more desirable studies, the use occasionally 
of books of fiction to my daughters. Often have 
I read aloud to them in that essentially English 
author, whose wonderful knowledge of human 
nature, and adaptation of character, is unrivalled 
in our literature — Shakspeare — thus avoiding 
exposure to the youthful eye, of those blemishes 
that belonged rather to the age, than to himself, 
and which a skilful reader may easily omit." 

In my opinion, one of the best preventives 
to an inordinate indulgence of this propensity, 
is to give an early taste for more instructive 
books. Travels, history and science, especially 
those branches which refer to earth's story, and 
our own formation — I mean geology and phy- 
siology — contain truths more wonderful than fic- 
tion. Above all other considerations however, a 
sense of responsibility as to our reading and 
thinking, and a thorough acquaintance with the 
sublime pages of inspiration, will best counteract 
this pernicious propensity. But methinks I 
' 9 



90 WHY AM I 

hear your young friends exclaim, "What are 
we to be permitted ? If dress, and amusements, 
and novels are proscribed, what remains to the 
young? Better to be born with a hoary head, 
than to be debarred the pleasures of life in its 
spring time !" 

Rational pleasures yet remain to you ; employ- 
ments fitted to your age and station; and, which 
is most important of all, the capability of qualify- 
ing yourselves for the high but honourable 
trusts, committed to our sex by their gracious 
Creator. Oh yes ! if woman would but recog- 
nize the weight of her influence, the compass of 
her province, she would feel at once, that other 
pursuits became her than the frippery of orna- 
ment, the whirl of dissipation, or the waking 
dreams of romance. Her sphere is sufficiently 
capacious without wrangling with men, as to the 
equality of the sexes, or holding conventions 
for the discussions of her rights : she need not 
aspire to military command, who rules and regu- 
lates the little world of home ; nor should she 
sigh for political aggrandizement, who has alike 
the legislative and executive power in the Lilli- 
putian commonwealth, over which she presides. 

In this country, it is hardly probable that 
women, if they desire it, may not fill a post of 
responsibility and usefulness. Hence the im- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 91 

portance of accustoming themselves to realize 
their capabilities and cultivate them to the utter- 
most. The time has past, when a blue was an 
object of detestation and disgust. True, we 
should avoid a pedantic display of the little 
knowledge we possess, and guard against its 
pursuit engrossing time which should be occu- 
pied in more homely employments. As my 
often quoted friend says, " If our stockings are 
to be of a cerulean dye, there should be a man- 
tle of feminine modesty, long enough to cover 
them gracefully." 

We have been speaking of duties for women, 
but there are pleasures too, which reason dis- 
allows not. Those who are favoured with a 
country life, have a long list at their disposal of 
simple gratifications. Flowers, those inexpen- 
sive ornaments, which nature scatters with such 
prodigality in our path, furnish many distinct 
departments of enjoyment. Their culture, their 
collecting in herbariums, or bouquets ; the imita- 
tion of their beauty with crayon or pencil, have 
all their own peculiar interest. Walking, riding 
on horseback, and excursions for natural or 
mineral productions, afford delightful outdoor 
occupation; while for indoors, a large well regu- 
lated family circle, will always supply an ample 
fund of social and domestic happiness. For 



92 WHY AM I 

those who live in cities, there are the compen- 
sating advantages of lectures, meetings, and 
general society, abroad; and at home, greater 
privileges of education, books and refinement. 

Among other reading, if I have not spoken of 
poetry and belles-lettres, it is not because I 
undervalue their importance, in forming the 
taste, and cultivating the mind. In this pro- 
saic railroad age, the charms of "heaven-born 
poesy," conduce materially to soften and elevate 
the feelings ; while the elegance of prose 
authors should be as a model, to form our style, 
and express our meaning gracefully and correct- 
ly. Nor can I, while conceding merit due to 
other languages, ancient and modern, forbear to 
enlarge on the comprehensive strength, and 
copious resources, of our own Anglo-Saxon 
tongue. It may not compete with the state- 
liness of the Greek, the regular structure of the 
Latin, the flexibility of the French, the depth of 
the German, or the liquid harmony of the Ital- 
ian ; yet has it been made the vehicle of Mil- 
ton's deathless song ; and perpetuates the philo- 
sophy of a Bacon, the science of a Newton. 
It has uttered the accents of civil liberty, since 
the days of Runnemede, and furnished a Wick- 
liffe with a medium for the pages of inspiration ; 
while in either hemisphere, it is used in the 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 93 

sacred language of prayer and praise, to Him 
who is the author of " that liberty, wherewith 
Christ has made us free." But I must close 
this long epistle. Herbert has, I doubt not, 
informed you of the termination of his studies, 
and his subsequent licensure by the Presbytery. 
My own feelings at hearing him preach his first 
sermon, in the church of his early youth, I 
leave you to imagine. It is enough to say, that 
my maternal aspirations were more than ful- 
filled ; and that were one more desire accom- 
plished, I could say with good old Simeon, 
" Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, 
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." The 
congregation here would be glad to have him, 
as our present minister has received a call to a 
more extended field of usefulness ; but it does 
not often do, for a clergyman to settle in the 
precincts of his boyhood. Busy as he has been, 
Herbert has not forgotten Edwin's request, and 
his essay will accompany this letter. Farewell 
my beloved Mabel, may the counsels I have 
given to my young applicants, be useful to 
them, in calling their attention to the important 
topics that have been discussed, and making 
them more useful to the world, more devoted to 
their God ! Yours ever, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 
9* 



94 WHY AM I 



LETTER XVII. 

MABEL HARCOUHT TO MRS. LINDSAY. 

Magnolia Grove. 

My Dear Aunt: — Your kind letters are 
both received, and have been read with much 
interest in our little circle ; such have been their 
effects, that Maria Morton has made a bonfire of 
her novels, and Julia declares she will never 
attend a dancing party again. To make amends 
for these sacrifices, we have commenced a 
Reading Society, at the suggestion of Miss 
Green, whom we elected president. Our first 
book, was Foster's Essay on Decision of Cha- 
racter, in which we are all much interested ; 
and as we read aloud in turn, and allow our- 
selves to be criticised, it is to be hoped that we 
shall all improve, in more ways than one. But 
this is not all. Edwin's letter from you, was 
forwarded to us ; and we have commenced our 
systematic contribution plan. Miss Green, who 
acts as treasurer, keeps the offerings in an old 
fashioned china sugar-bowl — a memento of other 
days — so the children call it " the sacred sugar 
bowl ;" and often give us the savings of their 
allowance, as their share in the business. We 
have commenced too, a regular Sabbath-school 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 95 

for the coloured children on the plantation, 
which commences at an early hour, that we may 
have time for our long ride to church. You 
know I used to be a great sluggard in the morn- 
ing, but I now feel the benefit of early rising, 
and wonder at my former laziness. My sweet 
Edith co-operates with me in every good work, 
and from her natural amiability and evenness of 
temper, gets on better than I do. You know 
how often my hasty way got me into trouble at 
school, and it still is my besetting infirmity. As 
you may suppose, the house seems very quiet 
without Edwin, and we miss him every hour 
of the day. He writes in great spirits from Col- 
lege, and tells us that he is very hard at work. 
I am delighted that Herbert's numerous trials 
and examinations are all over, and that he has 
attained his long cherished object. I hope he 
will settle in your village, as I am sure his boy- 
ish days will bear the investigation of the closest 
scrutiny ; and it will be so delightful to you, to 
remain in your own dear home. When my 
father left us for the summer, he said to me, 
" Mabel, as your mother is too much of an 
invalid for the office, I appoint Miss Green and 
you my chaplains till I return." I wanted the 
dear governess to take charge of this duty alto- 
gether, but she insists on my sharing it with her ; 



96 WHY AM I 

so we have worship alternately. Indeed, I 
know no one who seems so much changed for 
the better, as Miss Green. Religion has indeed 
done great things for her ; giving purpose to 
her feelings, spirit to devotional performances, 
and new life to her whole character. She and 
I are on a pleasant footing of intimacy, very 
different to the enforced tasks of former days ; 
and though Edith and I are emancipated from 
regular lessons, we have commenced a course of 
instructive reading, in the boudoir before men- 
tioned, where, after the school hours are over, 
Miss Green, and sometimes my mother, join oui 
little party. But I am rattling on in a very 
egotistic way. Farewell, my beloved aunt, for- 
get not to pray for your affectionate niece, 

MABEL HARCOURT, 



LETTER XVIII. 

HERBERT LINDSAY TO EDWIN HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dear Cousin : — The many pressing en- 
gagements connected with my entrance into the 
ministry have hitherto prevented me from com- 
plying with your request ; but as that important 
epoch in my history is now past, I have taken 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 97 

the earliest opportunity to give you my views 
on the subject of revivals of religion. May the 
Sanctifier enable me to speak on this interesting 
truth, with reverence and with power ! The 
word revive often occurs in Scripture. Isaiah 
tells us, " Thus saith the high and lofty One that 
inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I 
dwell in the high and holy place, with him also 
that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive 
the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart 
of the contrite ones:" and Habakkuk prays, 
"O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the 
years, in the midst of the years make known." 
In the last quoted text, the marginal reading is 
" preserve alive ;" and this gives a good expla- 
nation of the metaphor employed. As the her- 
bage of spring requires the showers of heaven to 
vivify and refresh it, so does the soul thirst after 
those communications of God's grace, which he 
has promised when he said, " I will be as the 
dew unto Israel." 

These spiritual effusions it is the peculiar office- 
work of the Comforter to bestow. So believers 
are said to "be filled with the Spirit," to " walk 
in the Spirit," to "abide in the Spirit," and are 
exhorted, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, 
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemp- 
tion." This last passage seems to require some 



98 WHY AM I 

enlarging on. As the love of Christ was 
enhanced by being manifested to his enemies, 
so the compassion of the Spirit is heightened 
by the consideration, that he comforts those who 
are so apt to grieve him. And this may there- 
fore be fixed as an important principle in this 
part of the mystery of God, that the principle 
foundation of this assuming the character of a 
Comforter by the Holy Spirit, is his own pecu- 
liar and ineffable love. The efficacy of our con- 
solation and the life of our obedience both depend 
on this ; for the knowledge that every acting of 
this Divine Agent towards us, and every gra- 
cious impression on our minds, are all the result 
of his infinite love, must influence our hearts 
with spiritual delight: while this knowledge 
must communicate a motive for cheerful, watch- 
ful, universal obedience, as all the actings of 
sin or unbelief are contrary to those of the 
Holy Ghost, quenching his movements, resisting 
his persuasions, and grieving his tenderness. 
"Whereby ye are sealed unto the day of 
redemption." By this, no especial act of the 
Spirit is intended, but onty an especial effect of 
his influences on us. Sealing may be consider- 
ed as a natural or moral action, that is, either 
with respect to the act or to the use., In the 
first sense, it is the communication of the impres- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 99 

sion of the seal on the substance. So the 
Spirit's sealing should consist in the enstamping 
on the soul his own holy nature and likeness. 
The second sense — namely, the use, is two-fold; 
to give security to the performance of deeds, 
grants, &c, and to ensure the safe-keeping of 
property, on which a seal is set. So things 
precious and valuable are sealed, that they may 
be kept inviolate ; and thus is shadowed forth 
the power which the Holy Ghost exerts for the 
preservation of believers unto the day of 
redemption. In the second Epistle to the 
Corinthians, third chapter and seventh verse, 
the Apostle institutes a comparison between 
"the ministration of death," as he calls the 
Mosaic economy, and "the ministration of the 
Spirit," in which he shows not only the superior 
glory of the latter, but its enduring character. 
"For if that which was done away was glorious, 
much more that which remaineth is glorious." 
This is one peculiarity of the manifestation of 
the Paraclete, as promised by our Lord; "that 
he may abide with you for ever." Another 
characteristic of the same dispensation is, that 
the influences of the Spirit are given in answer 
to prayer. "And I will pray the Father, and 
he shall give you another Comforter," Jesus 
tells his disciples. This is exemplified in the 



100 WHY AM I 

descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pente- 
cost, which was the first revival that we have 
knowledge of. We are told that the disciples 
"continued with one accord in prayer and sup- 
plication." 

They were not told the particular time that 
"the promise of the Father, which they had 
heard of" from Christ, was to be fulfilled; and 
we can well imagine that carnal wisdom would 
find a thousand objections to their remaining 
together, while unbelieving fear would suggest 
the prudence of averting persecution by a timely 
flight. But nothing of this kind seems even to 
have been proposed, and richly was their faith 
rewarded, when with other tongues, and bolder 
utterance, they were enabled to speak the won- 
derful works of God, till three thousand converts 
were added to their number. This leads me to 
remark a third characteristic of this ministration 
of the Spirit, which is, that where Christians 
are revived in their graces, sinners are, at the 
same time, often convicted of sin. This part of 
the office-work of the Holy Ghost is spoken of 
by tire Lord Jesus, (John xvi. 8,) and is called an 
awakening, because men are aroused from the 
lethargy of sin, and made conscious of the dan- 
ger of their condition both by nature and prac- 
tice : when this awakening is carried on to con- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 101 

version, the work is termed an ingathering, 
because the harvest of souls is at these times 
abundant. These periods are also called "times 
of refreshing," as Peter phrases it in his second 
revival sermon. I know that some commen- 
tators refer this expression to the destruction of 
Jerusalem, and others to the day of judgment; 
but the term as collated from other passages is 
so consonant to revivals of religion, that I can- 
not but think it may be applied to them, espe- 
cially if the passage be rendered thus: "that 
times of refreshing may come from the presence 
of the Lord,"— -a mode of expression contended 
for, on strong grounds by some authors. Be 
this as it ma} 7 ", we cannot doubt but that this 
very sermon was pre-eminently owned of the 
Spirit ; as in the next chapter it is mentioned 
" that many of them which heard the word 
believed, and the number of the men was about 
five thousand," making an increase of nearly 
half since the day of Pentecost. In this 
instance we hear nothing of those supernatural 
appearances or miraculous gifts, which then 
were so abundant, and we see therefore that the 
extraordinary operations of the Spirit are not 
necessary to, or commensurate with, his saving 
efficacy, in calling sinners from darkness unto 
light. We have no reason for supposing that 
10 



102 WHY AM I - 

Judas did fewer miracles than the other Apos- 
tles, when their Master " gave them power and 
authority over all devils and to cure diseases ;" 
and Paul tells us that to speak with " the 
tongues of men and of angels, to have the gift of 
prophecy, to understand all mysteries, and all 
knowledge, yea, to have faith that can remove 
mountains," will not avail for our salvation 
without that love which has pre-eminence in 
the list of the "fruits of the Spirit." Shortly 
after, multitudes in Samaria experienced the 
transforming power of the gospel, and upon the 
dispersion of the disciples, after the martyrdom 
of Stephen, they were instrumental in exciting 
a general attention to religion in the remote 
parts of Judea, and even as far as the territories 
of Greece. While Paul's preaching — himself a 
signal instance of the discriminating grace of the 
Sanctifier — reached from Antioch to Rome, 
numbering its trophies among the barbarians of 
Melita, and the saints "in Caesar's household." 
Nor should it be forgotten, that professing Christ 
was not in these early times the pleasant, 
respectable, often profitable thing it now is ; 
then they were "made as the filth of the earth, 
and the offscouring of all things," "everywhere 
spoken against," and as regards this life, were 
"of all men most miserable." How strong 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 103 

then must have been the impression of things 
divine, to counterbalance things seen and pre- 
sent ! These glorious manifestations of the 
power of the Spirit's ministration have not been 
confined to the Apostolic age. Passing from 
the records of inspiration, we find that revivals 
have always existed with a greater or less 
degree of power, especially in the later periods 
of the Christian church. This was emphati- 
cally true during the period of the Reformation, 
in the sixteenth century ; when the word of 
God, so long bound in the chains of superstition, 
and buried amid the rubbish of tradition, and 
the mummeries of monkery, was released, and 
resuscitated, and once more brought to the light 
of day. Under its blessed influence, Germany, 
France, Switzerland, Holland, Denmark, the 
Low Countries, and Britain, were severally visit- 
ed by copious showers of mercy. During the 
season of the plague in London, in 1665, there 
was a very general awakening, in which many 
thousands are said to have been hopefully born 
of the Spirit. In the early part of the seven- 
teenth century, various parts of Scotland, and 
the north of Ireland, w T ere blessed at different 
periods with signal effusions of Divine grace, in 
which great multitudes gave evidence of having 
been the subjects of regeneration. 



104 WHY AM I 

But in no part of the Church have these pre- 
cious seasons been more abundant, than in our 
own highly favoured country, where religion is 
disencumbered of all civil disabilities, and freed 
from the shackles of a dominant church estab- 
lishment. During the first half of the last cen- 
tury, under the ministrations of Whitefield, 
Brainard, Edwards, Davies, the Tennents, and 
many other holy men, God was pleased to 
stamp success upon their efforts as unexampled 
as unlooked for. And about the commencement 
of the present century, a great work was carried 
on in the western churches, which, though 
mixed with some alloy, was yet proved to be 
genuine, by the enduring steadfastness, and 
untiring zeal, of many who were then converted 
to the faith. 

And though of later years these seasons have 
not been as frequent, or as general as could be 
wished, there have still enough been vouchsafed 
to show that "the residue of the Spirit" still 
abides with the Church. As the existence of 
the counterfeit proves that of the genuine coin, 
so false views of revivals only serve to show 
the worth of that which they are designed to 
imitate. Under the title of New Measures, a 
variety of expedients have been made use of, to 
induce, or rather stand instead of, the vital energies 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 105 

of the Comforter. Among these, the anxious 
bench, and other similar contrivances, have been 
resorted to ; in some cases with apparent suc- 
cess for a time, though when the ferment had 
subsided, the people were usually more than 
ever indifferent, and hardened. Happily, the 
churches are at length convinced, that mere 
human machinery can never regenerate the 
soul ; and that neither the lash of excitement 
nor the power of sympathy can constitute a 
revival. The more we prize these " times of 
refreshing," the more careful we should be not 
to mar them by an admixture of human inven- 
tions. Another error, that has been too preva- 
lent, is that the distinctive doctrines of the 
church are not suitable for a revival. Election 
might frighten the young convert — Predesti- 
nation would discourage effort, and so forth. 
Just hear what Peter said in his great revival 
sermon — " Him being delivered, by the deter- 
minate counsel and foreknowledge of God," — and 
the truth in its simplicity, has been then, and 
ever since, " mighty through God, to the pulling 
down of strong holds." I mentioned that there 
was some alloy in the revivals which occurred 
in the year 1800, and about that time ; espe- 
cially in the Synod of Kentucky. The excite- 
ment began in Logan county, and soon spread 
10* 



106 WHY AM I 

all over the State and adjoining region. Besides 
increased attention to the usual times and ordi- 
nary means of grace, large camp-meetings were 
held, and a number of days and nights in suc- 
cession spent in almost unceasing religious exer- 
cises. At these meetings, hundreds, and in 
some cases thousands of people, might have 
been seen and heard, at one and the same time, 
engaged in singing and prayer, in exhortation 
and preaching, in leaping, shouting, disputing, 
and conversing with a confusion akin to Babel 
itself. This wonderful state of things was 
attended with the worst results ; a love of 
excitement and agitation was called forth, and a 
number of ignorant, hot-headed young men 
began to assume the office of public exhorters. 
These were soon licensed by the Presbytery, in 
the hope that their usefulness would make up 
for their irregularity ; but as might have been 
expected, these new recruits or "novices" 
showed great laxity in their theological opin- 
ions. A new Presbytery was set off, consisting 
mostly of those who held the new views ; and 
they became a sort of mint, for issuing, in great 
abundance, similar coin. The consequence was, 
that Arminians and Pelagians actually entered 
the Presbyterian Church ; and multiplied rapid- 
ly, till the decisive measures of the Synod of 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 107 

Kentucky, and the General Assembly, arrested 
the progress of the evil. The disorderly in- 
truders were banished ; a majority of the sounder 
part of them formed the body now known by 
the name of Cumberland Presbyterians ; and 
the remainder became either Chrystians or 
Shakers. Another peculiar feature of these 
times, was the variety of bodily exercise then 
prevalent. The jerks, as they were called, 
were violent spasmodic contractions of the mus- 
cles, which sometimes turned the head quickly 
from right to left, and back again ; and some- 
times threw the person on the ground, where 
he floundered like a fish. These singular affec- 
tions were common to young and old, saint and 
sinner, black and white, but lukewarm profes- 
sors, and persecutors, were more especially sub- 
ject to them. It is difficult to account for these 
visitations, which have been attributed some- 
times to sympathy, sometimes to Divine power, 
and sometimes to Satanic agency. Whatever 
was their cause, they have now disappeared, 
while the permanent good effected at the time 
they occurred still remains. 

We turn with pleasure to glance over some of 
the seasons of God's presence with his people. 
Out of many others now before me, I select the 
following accounts of revivals. In the congre- 



108 WHY AM I 

gation of Dr. Spring, in 1823, there were 
nearly a hundred instances of conversion. In 
1820 at Wethersfield, several females of the 
church privately instituted a weekly concert in 
the closet, to implore an outpouring of the Holy 
Spirit. In the following year, the series of 
revivals seem to have commenced; sixty-eight 
persons were added to the church, and a con- 
siderable number of others also were believed to 
be the subjects of Divine grace. In Pittsfield, 
Massachusetts, for a considerable time, the 
church and people were favoured with the effu- 
sions of the Holy Spirit. The third Sabbath of 
September will not soon be forgotten by the pre- 
sent generation in Pittsfield, for that Sabbath 
was a high day. To behold more than eighty 
persons, and one half of them heads of families, 
rising up to enter into covenant with God and 
with his people — to look round and see who 
they were— to hear their song — to witness their 
emotions, and to welcome them for the first time 
to the table of the Lord — O ! it was a scene 
which I shall not attempt to describe ! A 
solemn awe and stillness pervaded the great 
congregation, and some sinners were that day 
awakened by what they heard and saw in the 
sanctuary. We doubt not that there was joy in 
heaven that day. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 109 

However delightful these effusions of the 
Spirit may be, there is a state of things enjoyed 
by some churches, indicating a higher degree of 
religious progress. I mean that unintermitted 
prosperity prevailing in some few favoured 
oases in this wilderness, where "the kingdom 
of God cometh not with observation," and 
where Christ may indeed be said to "have the 
dew of his youth." One such church is espe- 
cially present to my mind, where the pastor has 
used his pen in defending the great doctrines of 
Zion, rather than in publishing the increase of 
his flock ; and where, unknown to publicity, 
save in the particular I have mentioned, he 
labours faithfully and successfully, and has 
beheld a rich return of his toil in the spiritual 
husbandry, by the prosperity of his church, and 
the peace of God in his own soul. 

Would that there were more such choice 
spirits in our Church ! And would, that as Bax- 
ter asserted the tone of family piety and instruc- 
tion were so kept up by private Christians, that 
the church in the house should be the usual and 
accustomed birth-place for the souls of those 
who are its inmates ! In conclusion, I would 
point out some truths, as the obvious deductions 
from what has been said. 

First. How incumbent on us to mind "the 



HO WHY AM I 

things of the Spirit." If this dispensation be so 
pre-eminently that of the Sanctifier, let us who 
profess ourselves his people, see to it that we 
are "spiritually minded, which is life and 
peace." 

Secondly. If we desire the Spirit's influences 
for ourselves or others, we must pray for them. 

Thirdly. The ordinary workings of the 
Spirit flow from the reading, and still more the 
preaching of the word of God, though he is not 
limited exclusively to these appointed means. 

Fourthly. The best test of the genuineness of 
the work of conversion is the enduring stead- 
fastness of its subjects. 

Fifthly. Let not the mistakes of good men, 
the arts of Satan, or the imperfection of all 
things human, lead us to disparage or decry 
revivals of religion. 

Sixthly. We see the inefficacy, not to say 
sinfulness, of that wild-fire excitement, which 
by multiplying ordinances, and encouraging dis- 
order, brings into discredit those manifestations 
of which it is the counterfeit. 

Seventhly. Let those who are brought in at a 
time when converts are numerous as the drops 
of dew, not glory over others who by ones, 
or twos, or threes, in a time of coldness and 
desertion, have been induced to own their 



A PRESBYTERIAN? JH 

Saviour. But I must close this long letter by- 
imploring for us all that "communion of the 
Holy Ghost," and "fellowship of the Spirit," 
which shall best fit us for usefulness here, and 
for a participation of that glory to which his 
own children are sealed unto the day of redemp- 
tion. Your affectionate cousin, 

HERBERT LINDSAY. 



LETTER XIX. 

MABEL HARCOURT TO MRS. LINDSAY. 

Magnolia Grove. 

My Dear Aunt: — Your kind letter was 
received, and through the medium of Edwin, 
Herbert's essay on revivals. 

I hope your instructions have been of use to 
us all, and even to some who are beyond the 
pale of relationship. Among the rest, Maria 
Morton has been much affected by what has 
been said, and I cannot but hope that she will 
unite with the church at our next communion. 
She has, however, she says, some difficulty in 
her mind arising from that solemn warning of 
the Apostle, "Whosoever shall eat this bread 
and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall 
be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." 



112 WHY AM I 

She hopes therefore that you will give her some 
information about the sacraments, (as she has 
not been baptized in infancy) and we shall all 
be glad to hear a little more about them; as 
except what was said about infant membership 
in those first conversations of ours, you have 
never touched on these subjects. 

We are all going on comfortably at home, 
looking for my father's return from the circuit 
with great pleasure, as home never seems quite 
like home without him. I am delighted to find 
that Herbert has accepted the call to his own 
beloved church, and that pastor and people 
seem so well pleased with the arrangement. I 
feel as he urges me, the additional reason this 
furnishes for mentioning our engagement to my 
father, but even as you foretold me, I am no 
more willing to have it confessed now, than at 
its first occurrence. Yet I do not think he will 
refuse his consent to it, for he does not seem 
anxious we should marry any of the surround- 
ing planters, who I believe would some of them 
like our portions, if not ourselves. The news 
from Edwin continues to be of the most cheer- 
ing character; the Faculty of the College speak 
of him in the highest terms; and as a tract dis- 
tributer and Sabbath-school teacher, he is, we 
hear, untiring in his labours. Henry Harrison 



A PRESBYTERIAN? H% 

too, is fulfilling the prognostics of his young 
patron ; and is making rapid progress in his 
preparatory studies. Our reading society goes 
on swimmingly ; we are now reading Aber- 
crombie on the Intellectual Powers, and flatter 
ourselves that ours are of a calibre large enough 
to comprehend him. Julia Morton had to con- 
fess the other evening, that our present pursuits 
were more rational than those which used to 
occupy her attention ; and that after all, so much 
visiting and gaiety were sad preparatives for 
death or eternity. What do I not owe you, 
my beloved aunt, for the pains bestowed on the 
unformed heathenish girl, who sought your 
kindly shelter ! If my hopes are not disap- 
pointed, it will be in my power to soothe your 
declining years, with those services your good- 
ness has so richly merited. But I know you 
do not like protestations, and they alone will not 
content me either. Come what may, I will no 
longer hide from my indulgent father, what he 
ought to know. 

Pray for your poor child, that she may be 
directed and sustained in the path of duty ; and 
believe her in heart, though she may never be 
so in name, your own daughter. 

MABEL HARCOURT. 



11 



114 WHY AM I 



LETTER XX. 

MRS. LINDSAY TO MABEL HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dear Mabel: — It is very gratifying to me 
to think that I have been of use to any of you, 
and I gladly accede to your wishes, and those 
of your young friend, in writing something rela- 
tive to the sacraments of our Church. 

In the present day there is a tendency to 
exalt these ordinances to a pre-eminence not de- 
signed by their author. The feelings of David 
when he said, "thou hast magnified thy word 
above all thy name" — that is, all that where- 
by God maketh himself known — should show us 
that however important the sacraments may be, 
they should not exclude, or interfere with that 
"law of the Lord," which "is perfect, converting 
the soul." A sacrament is defined to be the 
visible form of an invisible grace. This term is 
not found in Scripture, but borrowed from the 
Latin language, where it had different meanings : 
1st, a sum of money, laid down by both parties 
in a lawsuit, which by the loser was forfeited, 
and devoted to sacred uses; 2d, an oath, by 
which the soldiers bound themselves to be faith- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? H5 

ful to their commander, and obey him in all 
things; and 3d, as used in the writings of the 
early Christians, a mystery. This is the trans- 
lation of a Greek word, used not only to denote 
the doctrines of the Trinity, and the incarnation, 
but also baptism, and the Lord's Supper, espe- 
cially the latter; partly because spiritual bless- 
ings were conveyed under external symbols, 
and partly from the secret manner in which it 
was celebrated. Both of these latter meanings 
are easy of application to the rites we are con- 
sidering. 

Circumcision and the passover, were the 
Jewish sacraments ; and in the Christian church, 
baptism and the Lord's Supper take their place. 
Here I would remark, that the idea of a 
sacrament includes first, a divine institution; 
without this, the elements selected would afford 
as little support to our faith, as the water in 
which we wash, or the food we daily eat. Hence 
w T e condemn the conduct of the church of Rome, 
which has increased the number to seven, while 
Scripture gives us but two. But another cha- 
racteristic of a sacrament, is its significance. 
Water, purifying and clear, gushing from the 
earth, or descending from the clouds, is an apt 
similitude of the influences of the Spirit, to 
cleanse and refresh the soul. While in the 



116 WHY AM I 

supper, nothing could be a more proper emblem 
of the efficacy of our Saviour's atonement, than 
bread, the staff of life, and wine "that maketh 
glad the heart of man." 

A third observation on this subject is — that 
the signs or seals which God has annexed to his 
covenants, are assurances that the blessings pro- 
mised in them are real and abiding. True it is, 
that these signs will not of themselves neces- 
sarily ensure salvation ; but to those who have 
a right to them, they are a security for the 
enjoyment of the privileges they exhibit. 

A fourth remark is, that the sacraments are 
important as memorials of past events. The 
passover w r as an unceasing proof of the authen- 
ticity of Moses' account of the children of 
Israel's departure from Egypt; for how could 
an impostor have persuaded a whole people to 
commemorate an event that had never occurred ? 
So the Lord's Supper is a standing evidence of 
the integrity of the Saviour. Had he been a 
deceiver, and condemned to death for deluding 
the people, he would scarcely have instituted 
a rite, to perpetuate the memory of his infamy. 
Since, therefore, he shrunk not from the trans- 
mission of the knowledge of these sufferings, to 
the end of time, it is a strong presumption that 
he was conscious of his innocence, and that his 



A PRESBYTERIAN? H7 

disciples also viewed him in this light, or else 
they would not have been willing to "show 
forth his death till he come." 

A fifth idea is, that the efficacy of sacraments 
depends entirely upon the Divine blessing, upon 
them that by faith do receive them. The idea 
that either ordinance works like a charm, 
necessarily, and without the sanction of the 
institutor, is a fatal delusion. "The kingdom 
of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, 
and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." 

As the Abrahamic covenant and its conse- 
quences, (among which was infant baptism), has 
been discussed in our conversations on church 
order, I shall not say much respecting it now. 
The baptism of adults is clearly laid down in Scrip- 
ture, being based on the profession of their faith, 
as in the case of the Ethiopian baptized by Phi- 
lip. The element used is water, and the form 
as already often quoted in this correspondence, 
"in the name of the Father and of the Son and of 
the Holy Ghost." The mode of administration, 
was, if you remember, also discussed before ; so 
I shall not repeat the arguments then employed. 
This ordinance is administered in the name of 
the adorable Trinity, because the three Persons 
in it all concurred in that salvation of which bap- 
11* 



118 WHY AM I 

tism is the sign ; and because we are dedicated 
to the service and worship of the Divine subsis- 
tences. It is a confessing of Christ before men; 
taking his yoke, assuming his name ; and rich 
and various are the blessings, which it signifies 
and seals. 

First. Regeneration. "Except a man be born 
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the 
kingdom of God." Here note, that water cannot 
avail without the Spirit produce that moral 
change, of which the external emblem is only 
the representation. 

Second. Forgiveness of sins. "Arise and be 
baptized and wash away thy sins." We must 
not suppose that remission is inseparably con- 
nected with baptism, but we are plainly taught 
that it is a symbol of the purification of the soul 
from guilt, by the atoning blood of Christ. 

Third. Admission to the family of God, for it 
represents our fellowship with Christ, and is 
the badge of our heavenly citizenship. How 
should we desire to recommend the household 
of faith by our walk and spirit ! and how care- 
ful we should be to show that we are the Lord's, 
not only in name, but in sincerity and truth ! 

Fourth. Baptism signifies a resurrection to 
eternal life. Some have supposed that there is 



A PRESBYTERIAN? H9 

a symbolic representation of this event, in the 
rising of the baptized person from the water. 
The mode of burial then prevalent was not to 
plunge into the earth, but to lay in caves or 
vaults ; and besides, it is not conceded that bap- 
tism meant immersion. We must also remem- 
ber, that the resurrection was one of the cardinal 
doctrines made known by Christ and his Apos- 
tles, (Acts xvii. 18), and was sometimes used as 
the great test of the truth of the gospel. Thus 
the Apostle, " If there be no resurrection of the 
dead, then is Christ not risen : and if Christ be 
not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your 
faith is also vain." In this view, baptism 
assures us of a triumph over death and the 
grave, through the blood of Christ with which 
we are sprinkled ; and of admission into heaven, 
for which we are qualified by the washing of 
regeneration. 

Let us now inquire what are the obligations of 
baptism, or the duties it involves on those who 
have received it. Circumcision bound the Israel- 
ites to keep the whole law : "for circumcision" 
saith Paul, "verily profiteth if thou keep the 
law; but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy 
circumcision is made uncircumcision." Bap- 
tism is of the same import, and ratifies our 
subjection to the authority of Christ. It therefore 



120 WHY AM I 

implies, first, an engagement to believe all the 
truths that are revealed in the Scriptures. It 
takes in a profession of our faith in the Trinity, 
and all the doctrines consequent on this all 
important truth; and owning Christ as our 
teacher, we in it, place ourselves under his care, 
to receive his instructions and learn of him. 

Secondly. Baptism implies an engagement 
to observe the ordinances of Christ. Entering 
this new society, we are bound to conform to its 
laws, and respect its usages. Let us then 
neglect none of the means of grace, which it is 
in our power to attend; "not forsaking the 
assembling of ourselves together as the manner 
of some is," but resorting to the humble prayer- 
meeting, where they that fear the Lord speak 
often one to another, w T ith as much punctuality 
as to the crowded assembly, 

"In all the pomp of method and of art, 
When men display to congregations wide 
Devotion's every grace, except the heart ! " 

Thirdly. Baptism recognizes our obligations 
to obey the commandments of Christ. The 
Apostle, after reminding the Roman converts of 
their baptismal engagements, goes on to say, 
"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be 
dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 121 

therefore reign in your mortal body, but yield 
yourselves unto God as those that are alive from 
the dead." 

Before I leave this subject, I must say a word 
or two to those of my young correspondents, 
who have been baptized in infancy. Think not 
my young friends, that this initiatory rite has 
lost its binding obligations, because you were 
made an unconscious recipient of it. It is 
a duty and a privilege for parents to "suffer" 
their little ones to come to Christ in this ordi- 
nance, it is just as stringent in its nature, 
as if you voluntarily came under its requisitions. 
Lay not the flattering unction to thy soul, that 
because you were not cognizant of the trans- 
action, it is a dead letter, and without validity. 

If Christian parents do their duty, a heavy 
responsibility rests on those, who with the bap- 
tismal water on their head, yet live and die as 
"enemies to God by wicked works;" by un- 
belief, and disregard to his worship and com- 
mands. 

We come now to the other Christian sacra- 
ment — the Lord's Supper. This ordinance dif- 
fers from baptism, as it is often repeated, while 
the initiatory rite is performed but once. It is 
sometimes called the eucharist, because in its 
institution Christ gave thanks to God. The 



122 WHY A M I 

elements used, are bread and wine, to repre- 
sent the Saviour's broken body and shed blood. 
The Romish Church, as you are well aware, 
denies the cup to the laity altogether; but as 
they have not a shadow of scriptural grounds 
for this custom, there is no need to defend the 
contrary practice. Another mistake of this 
deluded people, is that of transubstantiation, or 
the conversion of the substance of the symbols 
of the supper, into the real body and blood of 
the Saviour. This opinion was first openly and 
explicitly maintained in the ninth century, and 
received its final sanction at the Council of 
Trent. To account for the fact, that no such 
change is visible after the words of consecration, 
they teach that the substance is annihilated, and 
only the species remain ; and that the bread and 
wine retain the appearance, colour, taste, smell 
and shape, while that which supported them is 
taken away. How different from this figment, 
of such numerous and invisible creations of the 
Saviour by each officiating priest, is Paul's 
declaration — "Christ was once offered, to bear 
the sins of many;" and again, "but this man 
after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for 
ever sat down on the right hand of God." In 
defence of this dogma, the Romanists plead the 
words of institution, "this is my body;" but a 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 123 

moment's reflection will convince us, that the 
body of the Saviour was then before his dis- 
ciples living, speaking, and presenting the ele- 
ments which were to show forth his death. 
He had called himself a vine, a door, a way, 
and here the language must be explained 
figuratively ; besides, both in the Hebrew and 
the Syriac — a dialect of which was spoken by 
our Lord — there is no verb to denote, to signify, 
or to represent; and its place is supplied by the 
verb of existence. The idea of transubstan- 
tiation too, is entirely foreign to the language of 
the sacred writers. Paul calls the symbol of 
our Lord's body, bread, not only before, but 
after consecration, which no Papist would be 
allowed to do. But error is seldom single- 
handed, and this tenet once admitted, makes 
room for a whole host of soul-destroying delu- 
sions. 

1st. The idolatrous worship of the wafer, 
which after the words of consecration, is ele- 
vated and adored, by both priest and people. 

2d. The notion that the Eucharist is a true 
and proper sacrifice for the sins of the living 
and the dead; thus converting the free and 
gracious gift of the Saviour, into a means of 
extorting sums untold from the superstitious 



124 WHY AM I 

people, to redeem their relatives from fabled 
fires of purgatory. 

3d. The false ideas of power, with which the 
priest is invested, on the supposition, that a few 
words from his lips should effect a miracle so 
unexampled in the annals of the universe. 

From this monstrous invention of misguided 
men, we turn gladly to our own commemorative 
feast. This is intended first to show forth the 
death of Christ ; that great event by which life 
ensued to those who have exercised faith in his 
name. The bread is broken to denote his 
violent painful death, the wine poured out to 
represent his blood, flowing to wash away the 
sins of men. How forcibly do these emblems 
represent the realities of Calvary! The evil of 
sin, the justice of an inflexible and holy sove- 
reign, the love of Christ, the tender care which 
even in that hour and power of darkness insti- 
tuted this blessed memento of his sufferings, all 
these are strongly brought to mind at the table 
of the Lord. 

Secondly. This ordinance is intended to unite 
Christians in love to each other. Children of a 
common Lord, subjects to a common King, this 
rite is well adapted to strengthen the bond of faith, 
and draw still closer the links of the chain of love. 

Thirdly. By thus eating bread and drinking 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 125 

wine, we assume the badge of visible profession, 
virtually confess Christ, and avouch ourselves 
his people. 

Fourthly. This sacrament was intended to 
edify Christians, and promote their spiritual 
life. The experience of believers will amply 
corroborate the sweetness of communing at the 
Saviour's board. Here our wavering faith is 
strengthened, our love increased, our repentance 
deepened, and our vows renewed. Here the 
Master sits at the head of his own table, and 
supplies the wants his poor disciples feel, com- 
municating grace, and mercy, and peace. But 
our feast of love works not like an incantation or a 
charm — there must be an adaptation in the re- 
cipient before he can eat "angels' food." It is 
the children's bread, and they only can benefit 
by it. Thus there are qualifications for this 
ordinance. First, An outward credible profes- 
sion of religion. Second, A state of peace and 
amity with the brethren. Third, Faith in lively 
exercise, taking Christ as our Saviour, God the 
Father as our covenant God, the Spirit as our 
Sanctifier. Fourthly, An earnest self examina- 
tion as to our standing before God ; the state of 
our graces, and the prevailing temper of our 
minds. Fifthly, A desire to follow the Lord more 
closely, and live more devotedly than before. 
12 



126 WHY AM I 

If we come with these feelings, we shall 
hardly be sent empty away ; but shall be ena- 
bled to account this ordinance " a feast of fat 
things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well 
refined." 

Even the timid and the doubting often have 
their burthens loosed, and their hard questions 
solved, at this holy table. To such, the text you 
refer to in your last letter (1 Cor. xi. 27,) has 
often proved a difficulty; but if your friend reads 
the whole context, she will find disorders spoken 
of which cannot be committed in the present 
day. Eating and drinking unworthily does not 
mean to receive the sacrament with a weak faith, 
a trembling hand, and fearful heart ; nor does it 
denote communing without perfect holiness, and 
entire freedom from sin ; nor even partaking 
with backwardness to the duty, deadness and 
coldness in it — when lamented over and repented 
of. This great offence is rather to be found, 
when men receive the ordinance out of custom, 
not out of conscience ; or because the law of man 
requires it, and not out of reverence to the com- 
mand of God. It is more likely to consist in 
receiving without that disposition of mind, and 
preparation of heart, or that reverence and devo- 
tion which the occasion demands : receiving 
without knowledge, faith, and repentance, with- 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 127 

out resolutions for a sincere obedience, or recon- 
ciliation with our neighbour. Still more it is 
likely to be attributed to those who commune 
from the sordid motives of temporal gain, ex- 
emption from penal edicts, or with unrepented 
and aggravated guilt on the conscience. Such 
an one may be said to " be guilty of the body 
and blood of the Lord;" as he not only trifles 
with the benefits these emblems foreshadow, but 
adds insult to injury, and affronts the Master at 
his own table, even while offering to the guests 
his richest dainties. 

Be assured, however, my dear Mabel, this 
awful passage was not intended to deter the 
weeping, doubting disciple, but to intimidate the 
daring hypocrite ; and tell your friend that there 
is often more sin in withstanding the invitations 
of the gospel than in venturing forward on the 
Lord's bidding, undeserving as we feel our- 
selves to be. The 29th verse is another terror 
to weak Christians, but the word translated 
" damnation" should be rendered "judgment," 
and from the context, be understood to refer to 
temporal, not eternal punishment. 

Having endeavoured to give you some account 
of our Christian passover, and hoping that what 
I have said may suit the case of poor Maria, I 
will conclude my long letter. 



128 WHY AM I 

As to the other subject you speak of, my 
opinion is well known to you. Concealment in 
these matters is always wrong, and if Herbert is 
to be deprived of you, the sooner he knows it 
the better. But I will not give up hope as yet. 
With love to all the dear household, I am your 
affectionate aunt, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 



LETTER XXL 

MABEL HARCOURT TO MRS. LINDSAY. 

Magnolia Grove. 

My Dear Aunt: — I am sure you will rejoice 
to hear that my secret has been disclosed, and 
the tidings favourably received by my father; 
but I must begin at the beginning. Acting on 
the resolution I mentioned in my last, which 
Edith highly approved, I took the first oppor- 
tunity to have a confidential talk with him. 
Producing the ring he had given me, I said, 
"Dear father, do you remember what you said 
when you gave me this?" "Perfectly," he 
replied, "and pray what is your request? I 
suppose you want to go eastward again, and 
your boon is the money needed for your jour- 
ney." "No indeed! father," I replied, it is a 



A PRESBYTERIAN? J29 

much greater favour I desire — even your forgive- 
ness." "Forgiveness! — and for what?" he 
returned. "Why, for not telling you my secret 
sooner," — sobbed your poor child, thoroughly 
frightened, and wishing herself out of the 
scrape. 

"Come, don't cry," said my father, "I am not 
a tyrant Mabel, but a fond parent. Tell me 
what you have done." "Why dear father, 
the truth is, that Herbert and I are engaged, 
on condition that you approve of it; but don't 
blame him, for he wanted to tell you at first, 
and I wish I had let him do so." 

"But how came your aunt to consent to this, 
Mabel ? I know that she does not like the 
marriage of cousins." This reply gave me 
great hopes, and I answered, "She neither 
liked the cousinship, nor the concealment, father ; 
but you know we are not full cousins, as you 
were the child of the first wife of grandfather, 
and aunt that of the second one ; as to the con- 
cealment, as I said before, that is all my fault, 
and I depend on my talisman." "Then you 
shall not be disappointed, you little witch," said 
my father, kissing me, "but as for this nonsuch 
cousin of yours, I must see that he is worthy of 
you before I can consent to let him have you. 
12* 



130 WHY AM I 

So tell your aunt to come on here with him, and 
if I like him, there shall be no barrier to your 
happiness. Now let us go and tell your mother." 
As I expected, my mother felt very unwilling 
to think of parting with me; but I told her 
about Edith and the younger ones, and did my 
best to reconcile her to the match; for I am 
very sure my father will like Herbert, and from 
his questions about the church, and your sweet 
little home, and so-forth, am convinced, he will 
not be inexorable to our wishes for an early 
union. I gave him all Herbert's letters to read, 
and he was much pleased with them, saying 
they did him honour. I had almost forgotten to 
acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter on 
the sacraments, which was the more appro- 
priate, as Mrs. Morton having been educated at 
Georgetown, had a strong leaning to the Roman 
Catholics. Dear aunt! do come soon, I shall be 
so glad to see you once more. Tell Herbert he 
shall no longer accuse me of cowardice, and 
want of candour; nor say that I must be 
ashamed of a lover whom I will not acknow- 
ledge. 

Farewell, dear aunt! says your happy 

MABEL HARCOURT. 



A PRESBYTERIAN? J3X 



LETTER XXII. 

MRS. LINDSAY TO MABEL HARCOURT. 

Violet Vale. 

My Dearest Mabel: — How can I describe the 
pleasure which your letter and the accompany- 
ing one from your father, have given me ! I find 
that your secret was known, or at least strongly 
suspected by my brother, who in consequence 
made very particular inquiry from one of Her- 
bert's professors, (who was his old friend and 
classmate) as to the standing, talents, and dispo- 
sition of his nephew ; and being satisfied that 
your affections had not been bestowed on an un- 
worthy object, he quietly waited for your disclo- 
sure. To Herbert, the news has come so unex- 
pectedly, that he can hardly contain his trans- 
port. You know how much he feared that ambi- 
tion, or the love of money, might operate on your 
father's mind, and raise obstacles to your union. 
For myself, the great purpose of my life is 
accomplished — my son has repaid me for all the 
sorrows of my early life, and the thought of 
having you to supply my place to him, when I 
am gone, has relieved the last anxiety of my 
heart. The preparations for our journey south 
are expedited by Herbert in every possible way, 



132 WHY AM I 

and we shall soon be with you. This, of itself, 
would terminate our correspondence, which has 
been very interesting ; but before I lay aside 
my pen — as Prospero did his wand — let me 
give you a few cautions relative to the new 
relation you will so soon be called on to sustain. 
Do not think I desire to dash the cup of youth's 
joyful anticipations with the bitter experience 
of maturer years. No, be happy in each other, 
but do not expect that your present sunshine 
will always last; clouds and cares will darken 
your horizon, and showers of grief deluge the 
landscape ; but if the bow, the sign of covenant 
love be there, even the surrounding gloom will 
place its tints in brighter relief. Do not expect 
to find perfection in Herbert, he is human, and 
has his faults, though I trust the divine prin- 
ciple implanted within will not let them have 
the mastery. A feeling of mutual forbearance 
is indispensable to happiness in married life, 
and the command of temper most desirable. 
Happily, there is a bond uniting your hearts, 
which will draw you to each other, in spite of 
all repelling influences — a common faith, a 
mutual dependence for life and for death. 
Think not my strain of moralizing or Mentor- 
izing too sad. Life was once to me as full of 
joyous expectations as it is to you ; but though 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 133 

earthly hopes have been blasted, and human 
helpers laid low, yet can I triumph in that 
" friend that sticketh closer than a brother ;" and 
rejoice in that inheritance incorruptible, unde- 
filed, and that fadeth not away, even though the 
path to it has been a thorny one. Here, dear 
child, is our resting-place — that our Rock is not 
as their rock, our enemies themselves being 
judges. 

As the wife of a clergyman, you will doubt- 
less be exposed to much animadversion. Some 
people seem to think that the better half of their 
minister should combine all good qualities ; 
have the strength of a female Sampson, the wis- 
dom of the woman of Tekoa, the nimble fingers 
of Dorcas, the faith of Mary, and the household 
thrift of Martha. They would have her be so 
good a manager as to live upon nothing ; she 
must exercise hospitality, though unable to 
afford domestic help; and in feeble health, she 
must shine in societies, prayer-meetings, and 
general company; her dress must be genteel 
enough for the most refined, and plain enough 
for the most censorious ; and in discretion, tact, 
and sociability of manner, she must excel. Be 
not frightened at this array of qualification, for 
the half is not told you. Prepare to sympathize 
with your husband in the difficulties of his path, 



134 WHY AM I 

the unconcern of worldings, the opposition of 
gainsayers, the misinterpretation of his motives, 
the disappointments of his efforts — perhaps the 
shattering of his health; and see him put forth 
exertions which in any other calling would 
ensure wealth, and receive for them the com- 
paratively meagre dole of a clergyman's stipend. 
But turn not away from the picture in despair, 
there is a brighter aspect of things. The 
woman who discharges aright the duties of a 
minister's wife, and "does what she could" to 
sustain her partner in his labours, relieve his 
anxieties, cheer him with her smiles, and as 
much as possible divest him of family cares, is 
no slothful or unprofitable servant. And even if 
she be precluded by domestic labours or ill 
health, from attending to the more prominent and 
public duties of her sphere — at least she can 
diffuse the charm of her presence over the at- 
mosphere of home, and minister to the comfort 
of her worn and wearied husband. She has her 
blessings too. If it be permitted to indulge in 
feelings of exultation, I know no occasion more 
likely to call them forth in the mind of a minis- 
ter's wife, than when she hears the words of the 
everlasting gospel from those beloved lips, and 
finds them blessed to the salvation of immortal 
souls. The affection, too, of the congregation 



A PRESBYTERIAN? 135 

must be hers, unless there is a sad failure some- 
where : — the society of good and enlightened per- 
sons is a benefit of no mean description ; the 
respect of even the ungodly ; freedom from the 
dread of those excesses in conduct which so 
often convert the husband into an object of fear 
or disgust ; and most of all, the approbation and 
smile of a covenant God. How much of a 
clergyman's usefulness must depend on the 
co-operation and like-mindedness of his wife! 
How essentially may she mar or promote his 
peace of mind, temporal comfort, and growth in 
the divine life ! Eternity will unfold results, 
arising from the humble, unostentatious self- 
denial of woman under these circumstances, 
which will cast in the shade the triumphs of the 
warrior, the discoveries of the philosopher, and 
the researches of the metaphysician. Let then 
the burdened heart rejoice, the bowed-down head 
be lifted up! He who accepted the widow's 
mite, overlooks not your labours, and appreciates 
your sacrifices of inclination, ease, and abun- 
dance. And when the duties of the church are 
rightly understood, and the services of her min- 
isters properly estimated, their families will not, 
as now, be straitened for that support they ought 
to receive from their grateful people ; nor while 
ground to the earth by pecuniary difficulties, will 



136 WHY AM I 

they be expected to maintain their footing of 
equality with the opulent congregation. But I 
must draw my homily to a close, which may 
best be done by invoking a blessing on the in- 
structions I have given you; that you may be 
well informed in the order and polity of our 
Church, deeply grounded in its doctrines, and 
richly imbued with a spiritual, experimental 
knowledge of vital holiness ! Thus you will be 
enabled to show Why you are a Presbyterian, 
and bear testimony to the excellence of a system, 
which, while it rises to the highest mounts of the 
Divine mysteries, extends its holy influence to 
the most minute obligation; and while it pos- 
sseses truths so gigantic as to fill the most ex- 
panded intellect, yet commends itself in its 
beauty and simplicity to babes and sucklings. 
Your ever affectionate mother, 

ELLEN LINDSAY. 



AUTHOR S POSTSCRIPT. 



It may be well to gratify the curiosity of the 
young readers, so far as to inform them, that 
Herbert having proved acceptable to Mabel's 
father, their union, after a suitable interval, took 



A PRESBYTERIAN? Jg^ 

place at her father's hospitable mansion. After 
this event, the young couple returned to Mrs. 
Lindsay's peaceful abode, where the happy 
trio all prosecute in different ways their zealous 
endeavours to do good, and conduce to their 
mutual enjoyment. 

This little work is now drawn to a close ; but 
if any desire exists to learn more of the family 
history, it may at a future time be gratified by 
the author, under the title of "Why should I be 
a Pastor?" 



THE END. 



13 



17J»». JS5S.I 



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